CN102279540A - Powder container and image forming apparatus incorporating same - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a powder container and an image forming apparatus incorporating the same. The powder container (32Y-a) includes a cylindrical container body (32Y2-a) to contain a powder, having an opening in one end thereof, to convey the powder contained in the container body (32Y2-a) to the opening with rotation of the container body (32Y2-a), and having a container-body projection (32Y2-z) provided on an outer circumferential surface of the container body (32Y2-a); and a cylindrical holder (32Y1-a), into which the end of the container body (32Y2-a) having the opening is inserted, to hold the container body (32Y2-a) rotatably, having a powder outlet through which the powder is discharged from the holder (32Y1-a) and a holder projection (32Y1-z) provided on an inner circumferential surface thereof. The container-body projection (32Y1-z) repetitively contacts and separates from the holder projection (32Y2-z) with rotation of the container body (32Y2-a) to vibrate the container body (32Y2-a) and the holder (32Y1-a).

Description

Powder collecting container and image processing system

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind ofly keep taking in the incorporating section of powder, the powder collecting container of following incorporating section revolution to make that toner in the incorporating section transports towards escape hole pivotally by maintaining part, and the image processing system that uses this powder collecting container.

Background technology

In the past, as this image processing system, the device of putting down in writing at patent documentation 1 was that people are known.Figure 55 to Figure 57 represents the conventional art.As we know from Figure 55, this image processing system is installed toner container 320Y at toner feed device 310.Toner container 320Y is by constituting as taking in tubular toner bottle 320Y2 of incorporating section that powder is a toner and the cap 320Y1 that combines with the toner bottle leading section.Toner feed device 310 comprises that as the hopper portion 700 that keeps the maintaining part of toner bottle 320Y2 pivotally, bottle bears portion 800, unitor 910, spring 930, drive division 900.If toner bottle 320Y2 press the E direction and turns round, the toner that then is accommodated in toner bottle 320Y2 inside transports towards the opening of toner bottle 320Y2 front end because of the spiral fashion projection 320Y2a that is located at toner bottle 320Y2 inner peripheral surface.And, send into toner towards cap 320Y1 from this opening.The toner that enters cap 320Y1 is discharged from the toner discharging port that is located at cap 320Y1, by the toner hopper portion 700 of toner feed device 310, supplies with the developing apparatus that is arranged on image forming device body.The revolution of toner bottle 320Y2 drives by following implementation.That is, toner bottle 320Y2 constitutes relative image forming device body 1000 and can load and unload, and in the rearward end of this toner bottle 320Y2, forms unitor joint portion 320Y2h.In image forming device body 1000, toner feed device 310 is provided with spring 930, by this spring 930 unitor 910 is energized towards toner bottle 320Y2, makes its combination.Unitor 910 is used in the future that the rotary driving force in self-driven source 900 transmits to toner bottle 320Y2, and unitor 910 comprises with the axis of rotation by the center along gyratory directions being decided spaced a plurality of pawl 911, and the cylinder axis of centres 912.Unitor joint portion 320Y2h comprises outside cylindrical wall 320Y2g, and central rings 320Y2d, and the 320Y2b of ladder portion (protuberance) form central cylinder recess 32Y2f and cut apart annular recessed portion 320Y2e.And, being hung in a plurality of protuberances (ladder portion) 320Y2b of the unitor joint portion 320Y2h that is located at toner bottle 320Y2 by the pawl 911 of above-mentioned unitor 910,320Y2h is chimeric with the unitor joint portion.Under this state, if unitor 910 revolutions, then toner bottle 320Y2 and cap 320Y1 are to remain on the state turning down of hopper portion 700.

In the image processing system of above-mentioned formation, do not transport parts even in toner bottle, be not provided for transporting the revolution of toner, also the toner in the toner bottle 320Y2 can be discharged to outside the bottle, therefore, can realize the cost degradation of toner bottle.But, carry out the action of smashing toner in the toner bottle to pieces owing to do not transport parts by revolution, therefore, there is the defective mode that toner aggegation piece easily takes place.

So, in the image processing system of patent documentation 1 record, make the avalanche of toner aggegation piece as follows.That is, with reference to Figure 56 and Figure 57 (a)-(c), a plurality of pawls 911 of above-mentioned unitor 910 possess to bump in the upstream-side-end of gyratory directions respectively and meet face 911d, simultaneously, possess dip plane 911c, also comprise top 911b in addition in end of downstream side, lateral surface 911a, medial surface 911e.

When making that being used to drive the rotating drive source 930 of toner bottle 320Y2 is just turning round occasion by the E direction, protuberance (ladder portion) 320Y2b that makes bumping of self meet the unitor joint portion 320Y2h of face 911d and toner bottle 320Y2 respectively at a plurality of pawls 911 of unitor 910 bumps under the state of connecing, and turning power is invested toner bottle 320Y2.In contrast, make drive source 930 by contrary direction H revolution occasion, unitor 910 makes the dip plane 911c of a plurality of pawls 911 contact with the protuberance 320Y2b of the unitor joint portion 320Y2h of toner bottle 320Y2 respectively.And, make the dip plane 911c of a plurality of pawls 911 not hang over protuberance 320Y2b, but on protuberance 320Y2b surface, slide.At this moment, the unitor 910 of energizing towards toner bottle 320Y2 by spring 930 is pushed back towards the opposition side of the direction of energizing because of the protuberance 320Y2b of toner bottle 320Y2, moves towards the rear end side of toner bottle 320Y2 axis direction.Like this, if unitor 910 is side shifting to the back-end, the dip plane 911c of the pawl 911 of unitor 910 crosses the protuberance 320Y2b of toner bottle 320Y2, then the pawl 911 of unitor 910 breaks away from the protuberance 320Y2b of toner bottle 320Y2, enters to be in the cutting apart in the annular recessed portion 320Y2e of protuberance 320Y2b next door.At this moment, unitor 910 is because of being subjected to the power of energizing from spring 930, make pawl 911 root around the protuberance 320Y2b front end locating quickly to move to toner bottle 320Y2 bump the position that connects.Because the impact of this moment makes toner bottle 320Y2 that big vibration take place, can make the avalanche of toner aggegation piece.

But, when making the avalanche of toner aggegation piece like this, make toner bottle against revolution, therefore, the toner in the toner bottle can not be sent in hopper portion.Therefore, printing continuously in the action, in order to suppress the growth of toner aggegation piece, regular interruption is printed action continuously, makes the contrary revolution of toner bottle to increase the time-write interval.

As powder collecting container, the image processing system problem take in as the toner bottle of the toner of powder of using is described, same problem also can produce in the powder supplying device of powder collecting container of the powder different with toner is taken in use.This is owing in order to suppress the growth of powder aggegation piece, can not continue for a long time need regularly make the incorporating section against revolution by incorporating section revolution supply powder, interrupts the supply powder.

[patent documentation 1] Japanese kokai publication hei 11-109737 communique

Summary of the invention

The present invention puts forward in view of foregoing problems, the purpose of this invention is to provide following such powder collecting container and image processing system.That is, the revolution that will not be used to transport powder is transported parts and is located in the incorporating section, does not interrupt the supply of powder in the incorporating section, can make the powder collecting container etc. of aggegation piece avalanche of the powder in the incorporating section.

To achieve these goals, the present invention proposes following technical scheme:

(1) a kind of powder collecting container comprises:

Powder is taken in the incorporating section, and an end opening transports powder by revolution to opening, have the incorporating section projection at outer peripheral face; And

Maintaining part is inserted the peristome of above-mentioned incorporating section one end, is provided with the escape hole that powder is transported to the maintaining part outside, is provided with the maintaining part projection at inner peripheral surface;

Wherein, follow the revolution of above-mentioned incorporating section, above-mentioned incorporating section projection and maintaining part projection connect from, vibration is invested above-mentioned incorporating section and maintaining part.

(2) in the described powder collecting container of technique scheme (1), it is characterized in that:

Above-mentioned incorporating section projection is provided with two at least, and it is circumferential to be arranged in the incorporating section.

(3) in the described powder collecting container of technique scheme (1), it is characterized in that:

Above-mentioned maintaining part projection is provided with two at least, and it is circumferential to be arranged in maintaining part.

(4) in technique scheme (2) or (3) described powder collecting container, it is characterized in that:

Above-mentioned incorporating section projection and above-mentioned maintaining part projection are respectively equipped with a plurality of, are arranged in circumferentially.

(5) in the described powder collecting container of technique scheme (4), it is characterized in that:

Set respectively above-mentioned incorporating section above-mentioned revolution side face a plurality of incorporating sections projection set spacing, and a plurality of maintaining part projections of the above-mentioned inner peripheral surface of above-mentioned maintaining part set spacing, make at least two above-mentioned incorporating section projections not can with the time respectively with different above-mentioned maintaining part projection contacts.

(6) in technique scheme (1)-(3), in any described powder collecting container, it is characterized in that:

On the powder stream in above-mentioned maintaining part, the mesh sieve thicker than the particulate that constitutes powder is set, powder is sent to above-mentioned escape hole by this sieve.

(7) in technique scheme (1)-(3), in any described powder collecting container, it is characterized in that:, be formed for transporting the helicla flute of powder in the incorporating section.

(8) in any described powder collecting container, it is characterized in that in technique scheme (1)-(3): above-mentioned maintaining part is lid.

(9) a kind of image processing system comprises:

Toner container is taken in toner;

Imaging device uses toner to make the toner picture; And

Toner supply device, with the toner in the above-mentioned toner container to above-mentioned imaging device supply;

Wherein, as above-mentioned toner container, carry any described powder collecting container in claim (1)-(8).

(10) in the described image processing system of technique scheme (9), it is characterized in that:

Image processing system comprises a plurality of powder collecting containers of taking in different toner bodies respectively.

The following describes effect of the present invention.

In the present invention, follow to make the incorporating section of powder collecting container turn round, the powder in the incorporating section transports towards escape hole, revolution need be set in the incorporating section transport parts, can be with powder in the incorporating section to outside supply.And, parallel with such supply powder, make from the outstanding incorporating section projection of incorporating section side face and from the outstanding maintaining part projection of the inner peripheral surface of maintaining part connect from, vibration is invested incorporating section and maintaining part, make powder aggegation piece and the interior powder aggegation piece avalanche of maintaining part in the incorporating section.Thus, do not interrupt powder supplying in the incorporating section, make powder aggegation piece avalanche in the incorporating section.Therefore, parts are transported in the revolution that need not be provided for transporting powder in the incorporating section, do not interrupt powder supplying in the incorporating section, can make powder aggegation piece avalanche in the incorporating section.

Description of drawings

Understanding more comprehensively of the present invention and a lot of thing followed advantage thereof will become better understood along with the present invention and obtain more easily by the reference following detailed and when considering in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, among the figure:

Fig. 1 is the summary pie graph of the printer that relates to of expression example.

Fig. 2 is the amplification pie graph of the Y of this printer of expression with imaging portion.

Fig. 3 is the amplification pie graph of the toner supply device of this printer of expression.

Fig. 4 is a stereographic map of representing the container installation portion of this printer with the toner container that Y uses.

Fig. 5 is the stereographic map that the Y of the toner container drive division of this printer of expression uses driving means.

Fig. 6 is the amplification pie graph that this container installation portion of expression and desire installation Y wherein use toner container.

Fig. 7 is the amplification pie graph of this container installation portion of expression and installation this toner container wherein.

Fig. 8 is the amplification stereogram of the toner container fixed part of this container installation portion of expression.

Fig. 9 is illustrated in the fixed position to block the Y amplification stereogram that covers maintaining part that the toner container static solution removes the preceding lower house of bar state.

Figure 10 is illustrated in the releasing position to block the Y amplification stereogram that covers maintaining part that the toner container static solution removes the preceding lower house of bar state.

Figure 11 is expression Y with the fixing amplification stereogram of relieving rod of toner container.

Figure 12 is that expression is blocked at the fixing front view (FV) of the cap of relieving rod and toner container of the toner container of fixed position.

Figure 13 is that expression is blocked at the fixing front view (FV) of the cap of relieving rod and toner container of the toner container of removing the position.

Figure 14 is to be the fixedly planimetric map of relieving rod of the head of toner container of the first phase (initial stage) state and toner container to the installation procedure of container installation portion from gravity direction below expression.

Figure 15 is to be the fixedly planimetric map of relieving rod of the head of toner container of second phase state and toner container to the installation procedure of container installation portion from gravity direction below expression.

Figure 16 is to be the fixedly planimetric map of relieving rod of the head of toner container of third phase state and toner container to the installation procedure of container installation portion from gravity direction below expression.

Figure 17 is to be the fixedly planimetric map of relieving rod of the head of toner container of the fourth phase (finishing the phase) state and toner container to the installation procedure of container installation portion from gravity direction below expression.

Figure 18 is the fixedly stereographic map of relieving rod of indication rod position transducer and the toner container that is in a fixed position state.

Figure 19 is the fixedly front view (FV) of relieving rod of indication rod position transducer and the toner container that is in a fixed position state.

Figure 20 is the indication rod position transducer and is in the fixing stereographic map of relieving rod of toner container of removing location status.

Figure 21 is the indication rod position transducer and is in the fixing front view (FV) of relieving rod of toner container of removing location status.

Figure 22 is the amplification front view of expression toner container fixed part.

Figure 23 is the amplification stereogram of the Y of side (cap side) expression from the head with toner container.

Figure 24 represents the amplification stereogram of Y with toner container from rear end side.

Figure 25 is the amplification stereogram of expression Y with the bottle portion of toner container.

Figure 26 is an amplification stereogram of representing cap from front.

Figure 27 is an amplification stereogram of representing cap from rear end side.

Figure 28 is respectively from face side, rear side, and the top, the below, side is represented the figure of cap.

Figure 29 is the exploded perspective view of cap.

Figure 30 is an amplification stereogram of representing the grip part body of cap from the arrow A of Figure 29.

Figure 31 is the longitudinal section of the head of expression toner container.

Figure 32 is the front view (FV) of expression Y with the cap of toner container.

Figure 33 is the front view (FV) of expression M with the cap of toner container.

Figure 34 is the front view (FV) of expression C with the cap of toner container.

Figure 35 is the front view (FV) of expression K with the cap of toner container.

Figure 36 is that the expression installation procedure is in the head of toner container of the first phase (initial stage) state and the longitudinal section of surrounding structure thereof.

Figure 37 is that the expression installation procedure is in the head of toner container of second phase state and the longitudinal section of surrounding structure thereof.

Figure 38 is that the expression installation procedure is in the head of toner container of third phase state and the longitudinal section of surrounding structure thereof.

Figure 39 is that the expression installation procedure is in the head of toner container of the fourth phase (finishing the phase) state and the longitudinal section of surrounding structure thereof.

Figure 40 is the Y nozzle that expression is located at the container installation portion, and tine and toner container be the stereographic map of the position relation of relieving rod fixedly.

Figure 41 is the outboard profile of this position relation.

Figure 42 is the fixedly side skeleton diagram that concerns of the position in toner container loading and unloading direction of relieving rod and toner container drive division of expression toner container.

Figure 43 is the side skeleton diagram of expression Y with toner container.

Figure 44 is the fixedly side skeleton diagram that concerns of the position in toner container loading and unloading direction of relieving rod and antenna substrate of expression toner container.

Figure 45 is the side skeleton diagram of this toner container of expression.

Figure 46 is the stereographic map of the cap of this toner container of expression.

Figure 47 is the partial perspective view at front end place of the bottle portion of this toner container of expression.

Figure 48 is the cross-sectional view of the junction of expression cap of this toner container and bottle portion.

Figure 49 is expression Y with the cross-sectional view of the junction of the cap of first preproduction of toner container and bottle portion.

Figure 49 is expression Y with the cross-sectional view of the junction of the cap of first preproduction of toner container and bottle portion.

Figure 50 is expression Y with the cross-sectional view of the junction of the cap of second preproduction of toner container and bottle portion.

Figure 51 is expression Y with the cross-sectional view of the junction of the cap of the 3rd preproduction of toner container and bottle portion.

Figure 52 is expression Y with the cross-sectional view of the junction of the cap of the 4th preproduction of toner container and bottle portion.

Figure 53 is an expression aggegation piece weight, the come off figure line of several relations of vibration number, look.

Figure 54 is the partial longitudinal section figure of the Y of the printer that relates to of expression embodiment with the leading section of toner container.

Figure 55 is the toner container of example in the past and the stereographic map of toner feed device.

Figure 56 is the amplification stereogram of the coupler component of the toner unitor bearing part of toner container bottle and toner feed device.

Figure 57 is the skeleton diagram of the chimeric disengaging of expression unitor bearing part and coupler component.

Concrete example

In describing preferred example shown in the drawings, for cause has clearly adopted specific term.But the disclosure of instructions of the present invention is not limited to the particular term of selection like this, and it is to be understood that each particular element comprises all technical equivalents things of operating in a similar manner and realizing similar results.

Referring now to accompanying drawing, wherein, identical Reference numeral is represented identical or corresponding part in its a plurality of views.

Below, as suitable image processing system of the present invention, an example of the color printer (following brief note is " printer ") of electrofax mode is described.

Fig. 1 is the summary pie graph of the printer 200 that relates to of expression example.Above the main body 100 of this printer, the container installation portion is installed.And at this container installation portion 31, loading and unloading are provided for taking in respectively four toner container 32Y, 32C, 32M and 32K of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), each colour toners of black (K) with (changing freely) freely.

The printer that this example relates to comprises and Y, C, M, K corresponding four 3Y of imaging portion, 3C, 3M and 3K of all kinds.The 3Y of imaging portion, 3C, 3M and 3K constitute can relative main body 100 loading and unloading.Above the 3Y of imaging portion, 3C, 3M and 3K, set the toner supply device that does not have illustrated Y, C, M, K to use respectively.Developing apparatus 5Y, 5C, 5M, the 5K of the toner supply device supply imaging 3Y of portion, 3C, 3M and the 3K that uses by Y, C, M, K as the toner of the powder that is accommodated in toner container 32Y, 32C, 32M and 32K.

Fig. 2 is the amplification pie graph of expression Y with the imaging 3Y of portion.In the figure, Y, comprises charging part 4Y, developing apparatus 5Y, cleaning section 2Y, does not have the illustrated electric portion etc. that disappears around drum type photoreceptor 1Y with the imaging 3Y of portion.By said apparatus, on photoreceptor 1Y, carry out imaging processing, that is: charging operation, sub-image write operation, developing procedure, transfer printing process and cleaning process, thereby form the Yellow toner picture on photoreceptor 1Y.

It is to be noted that the 3C of other imaging portions, 3M, 3K have the similar structure with the yellow imaging 3Y of portion, except the color of use therein toner with form the toner picture of respective color.Thereby, only be described as the description of omitting other imaging portions as the 3Y of portion below.

With reference to Fig. 2, photoreceptor 1Y presses A1 rotation counterclockwise among Fig. 2 by the drive motor (not shown).The surface of photoreceptor 1Y in the face of the position of charging part 4Y by charging part 4Y uniform charging (charging operation).When the charged photoreceptor 1Y of homogeneous surface arrived the position that receives the laser beam L that sends from optical writing device 7 (as shown in Figure 1), photoreceptor 1Y was scanned by laser beam L, thereby forms yellow electrostatic latent image (sub-image writes operation) thereon.

Then, photoreceptor 1Y arrives the position in the face of developing apparatus 5Y, at this, and latent image-use toner development yellowly toner picture (developing procedure).

After this, the surface that has a photoreceptor 1Y of toner picture enters the primary transfer clamping part that contacts with intermediate transfer belt 8.In this primary transfer clamping part, the primary transfer bias voltage roller 9Y that is provided in the ring inboard of intermediate transfer belt 8 pushes intermediate transfer belt 8 towards photoreceptor 1Y.And by there not being illustrated power supply, the primary transfer bias voltage is applied on the primary transfer bias voltage roller 9Y.Thus, in the primary transfer clamping part, form the Y toner picture make on the photoreceptor 1Y intermediate transfer belt 8 side electrostatic displacement from photoreceptor 1Y side direction primary transfer electric field.The lip-deep Y toner of photoreceptor 1Y that enters the primary transfer clamping part looks like to be subjected to the effect of primary transfer electric field and primary transfer nip pressure, and primary transfer is on the surface of intermediate transfer belt 8 (primary transfer operation).At this moment, remaining a spot of not transfer printing toner on photoreceptor 1Y.

When the Y toner was faced the position of cleaning section 2Y as the surface arrival of the photoreceptor 1Y of primary transfer behind intermediate transfer belt 8, the cleaning doctor 2a machinery of cleaning section 2Y was scraped and is got the toner (cleaning process) that remains on the photoreceptor 1Y.After this, arrive and the position that does not have the illustrated electric portion subtend that disappears, remove residual electric potential in this position.Thereby a series of imaging processing of carrying out on photoreceptor 1Y finish.

Be similar to the yellow imaging 3Y of portion, above-mentioned imaging process is carried out in the 3C of imaging portion, 3M and 3K.That is, be arranged among Fig. 1 optical writing device 7 on the 3C of imaging portion, 3M and the 3K according to image information from the light source L that gives off laser beam, by the polygonal mirror reflection, make laser beam L along main scanning direction deflection.Then, the laser beam L of deflection arrives photoreceptor 1C, 1M, 1K like this, and photoreceptor 1C, 1M, 1K are carried out photoscanning.By this photoscanning, be respectively formed at electrostatic latent image on photoreceptor 1C, 1M, the 1K by C, M, K toner development, become C, M, K toner picture.

The intermediate transfer unit 6 that is provided in the 3Y of imaging portion, 3C, 3M and 3K below comprises intermediate transfer belt 8, four primary transfer bias voltage roller 9Y, 9C, 9M, 9K, secondary transfer printing backing roll 10, a plurality of idler roller and intermediate transfer cleaning sections etc.Intermediate transfer belt 8 is supported by a plurality of rollers, and along with in a plurality of rollers as a rotation of driven roller, on the indicated direction of arrow A shown in Figure 13, rotate.

Be provided between four primary transfer bias voltage roller 9Y, 9C, 9M, 9K and photoreceptor 1Y, 1C, 1M, the 1K of the ring inboard of intermediate transfer belt 8 and sandwich intermediate transfer belt 8.Thus, form the primary transfer clamping part that the surface of photoreceptor 1Y, 1C, 1M, 1K and intermediate transfer belt 8 joins.In above-mentioned primary transfer clamping part, relatively primary transfer bias voltage roller 9Y, 9C, 9M, 9K apply the primary transfer bias voltage respectively, form to make the primary transfer electric field of toner from photoreceptor side roll side electrostatic displacement.Intermediate transfer belt 8 is followed by clockwise ring-type and is moved, order by Y, C, M, K process with the primary transfer clamping part in, at its surface order superimposed Y, C, M, K toner picture, carry out primary transfer.Thus, form four looks superimposed toner picture on the surface of intermediate transfer belt 8.

The toner that four looks are superimposed looks like to be positioned in intermediate transfer belt 8 arrival and secondary transfer roller 11 subtend positions on surface.This secondary transfer roller 11 is arranged in the face of secondary transfer printing backing roll 10.Secondary transfer printing backing roll 10 and secondary transfer roller 11 compress each other through intermediate transfer belt 8, and after this contact portion between the two is known as the secondary transfer printing clamping part.The multi-color toner that is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 looks like to be transferred to the recording medium P (recording medium) last (secondary transfer printing operation) that is sent to the secondary transfer printing clamping part.After the secondary transfer printing operation, the not transfer printing toner that is not transferred on the recording medium P remains in intermediate transfer belt 8.

Intermediate transfer belt 8 by the secondary transfer printing clamping part arrives the position that does not have illustrated intermediate transfer cleaning section.And in this position, the toner that remains on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is reclaimed by the intermediate transfer cleaning section.Thereby a series of imaging processing of carrying out on intermediate transfer belt 8 finish.

Send into recording medium P system in the secondary transfer printing clamping part from being arranged on recording medium supply unit 12 in main body 100 bottoms through donor rollers 13, many to transfer roller 14 and 15 transmission of a pair of alignment rolls.More particularly, recording medium supply unit 12 comprises many recording medium P that pile up.When donor rollers 13 is counterclockwise rotated in Fig. 1, picked and be transferred to transfer roller 14 from recording medium supply unit 12 at the recording medium P at top.

Then, transfer roller 14 is sent to described a pair of alignment rolls 15 with recording medium P.Alignment rolls 15 is sandwiched in recording medium P and stops recording medium P therebetween, then, with intermediate transfer belt 8 on consistent moment of arrival of the multi-color toner picture that forms, make recording medium P advance to the secondary transfer printing clamping part.Thereby multi-color toner looks like to be recorded on the recording medium P.

Subsequently, transfer printing has the recording medium P of multicolor image to be transferred to fixing device 19 on it.In fixing device 19, the multi-color toner picture because of from the heat of fixing roller 17 and backer roll 18 applied pressure photographic fixing on recording medium P.

Then, recording medium P is discharged to the equipment outside by a pair of distributing roller 16, and is stacked on and piles up on the pallet 20 as output image.Thereby a series of imaging processing of carrying out in image processing system finish.

It is to be noted that the main body 100 of image processing system also comprises controller 101, for example, this controller 101 can be to comprise the computing machine of CPU (central processing unit) (CPU) and relevant memory cell (for example, ROM, RAM etc.).Controller 101 is carried out various types of control operations by program stored in the execute store.Replace CPU, can use field programmable gate array (FPGA).

Then, be described in more detail in structure and the operation of the developing apparatus 5Y in each imaging portion below with reference to Fig. 2.

Developing apparatus 5Y comprises the developer roll 51Y that is arranged in the face of photoreceptor 1Y, the sensor of being arranged to the toner concentration of toner concentration in scraper 52Y, supply screw rod 56Y, recovery screw rod 57Y, agitating screw 58Y and the detection developer in the face of developer roll 51Y.The housing of developing apparatus 5Y as developer reservoir and at least the part be divided into supply with transport passage 53Y, passage 54Y is transported in recoverys and passage 55Y (also be generically and collectively referred to as developer and transport passage 53Y, 54Y and 55Y) is transported in stirring, in these passages, be provided with respectively to supply with screw rod 56Y, recovery screw rod 57Y and agitating screw 58Y.Developer roll 51Y comprises a plurality of magnet or the magnetic roller fixing with respect to the housing of developing apparatus 5Y, centers on the sleeve of magnet rotation etc.Basically the two-component developer that is made of carrier (carrier granular) and toner (toner-particle) is contained in developer and transports among passage 53Y, 54Y and the 55Y.The toner that holds in developer reservoir 32Y transports the mouth 59Y supply that forms on the passage 55Y by being formed on to stir.

The layout of each parts of developing apparatus 5Y is described in further detail below.

Supply is transported passage 53Y and is taken in the developer of supplying with developer roll 51Y, developing apparatus 5Y with the position of developer roll 51Y subtend, be provided with to supply with and transport passage 53Y.Supply is transported passage 53Y when developer roll 51Y supplies with developer, be arranged on supply with the supply screw rod 56Y that transports in the passage along developer roll 51Y axially towards the inboard of paper shown in Figure 2 transmission developer.From developer roll 51Y with the subtend portion that supplies with screw rod 56Y, the moving direction downstream is provided with the scraper 52Y as the developer limiting means surfacewise, the developer that is used for supplying with developer roll 51Y is restricted to the thickness that is suitable for developing.

Recovery is transported passage 54Y and is being faced developer roll 51Y along development sleeve sense of rotation developer roll 51Y in the face of the location downstream of the developing regional of photoreceptor 1Y.Be recycled to reclaim and transported the passage 54Y by developing regional and the developer (hereinafter referred to as the back developer that develops) that separated from developer roll 51Y.Recovery screw rod 57Y is parallel to the axial location of developer roll 51Y and transports among the passage 54Y in recovery.It is spiral-shaped reclaiming screw rod 57Y, and with supply with the identical or similar direction of the direction that screw rod 56Y transmits developer (below be called the developer direction of transfer) on transmit developer.Be provided with the supply of supplying with screw rod 56Y transport passage 53Y be arranged side by side developer roll 51Y laterally, the recovery of reclaiming screw rod 57Y is set transports passage 54Y and be positioned under the developer roll 51Y.

The above-mentioned magnetic roller that is positioned at development sleeve inside circumferentially has at it and does not almost have the magnetic force place.Almost do not have a subtend position, magnetic force place if the developer that is positioned in the development sleeve surface follows the development sleeve revolution to come with above-mentioned, then developer leaves from the development sleeve surface.In also can left magnetic roller, be provided with and form the place, magnetic field that repels each other, make the lip-deep developer of development sleeve break away from this place, replace the above-mentioned magnetic force place that almost do not have.

Stirring is transported passage 55Y and is positioned to supply with and transports under the passage 53Y, is parallel to reclaim and transports passage 54Y.Be arranged on to stir and transport the interior agitating screw 58Y shape of passage 55Y, and be parallel to the axial of developer roll 51Y as spiral.When stirring developer, agitating screw 58Y axially transmits developer towards the front side of paper shown in Figure 2 along developer roll 51Y's, and this direction is opposite with the developer direction of transfer of supplying with screw rod 56Y.

Developing cell 5Y also comprises first dividing plate 501, and this first dividing plate 501 comprises that passage 53Y is transported in supply transports the separated part of passage 55Y from stirring.Though separated by first dividing plate 501, supply is transported passage 53Y and is stirred and to transport passage 55Y perpendicular to two ends on the direction on paper shown in Figure 2 surface, communicate with each other by opening, this opening promptly is respectively formed at the front side and inboard first connected component and the third connecting part of paper shown in Figure 2.

It is to be noted that passage 53Y is transported in supply and recovery is transported passage 54Y equally by 501 separations of first dividing plate, and in this part of first dividing plate 501, do not form opening.Thereby, supply with and to transport passage 53Y and transport passage 54Y with recovery and be not communicated with.

Developing apparatus 5Y also comprises second partition 502, and this second partition 502 comprises that passage 55Y is transported in stirring transports the separated part of passage 54Y from recovery.Though separated by second partition 502, in the end of second partition 502, promptly on the inboard of paper shown in Figure 2, form opening (second connected component), stir and to transport passage 55Y and transport passage 54Y by this second connected component and recovery and be communicated with.

Gou Zao the following operation of developing apparatus 5Y as mentioned above:

The development sleeve of developer roll 51Y is by the rotation of direction shown in the arrow A 2 shown in Figure 2.The magnetic field that is produced by magnet keeps the developer on the developer roll 55Y to be transmitted along with the rotation of development sleeve.

Toner in the developer that comprises in developing apparatus 5Y is adjusted in the preset range the ratio (toner concentration) of carrier.More particularly, toner feed device 60Y supplies to stir from toner container 32Y according to the consumption of toner in the developing apparatus 5Y and with toner and transports passage 55Y.The structure of toner feed device 60 and operate in the back more detailed description.

Supply to and stir the toner transport in the passage 55Y and be mixed together and stir by agitating screw 58Y and developer on one side, one side in passage 55Y is transported in stirring the front side towards the direction of vertical paper shown in Figure 2 transport.Be transported to the developer that stirs the carriage direction downstream end transport passage 55Y and supply to supply with from this opening by first dividing plate 501 (first open communication) and transport passage 53Y, this first open communication is positioned at the upstream side of the developer carriage direction of the downstream of developer carriage direction of agitating screw 58Y and supply screw rod 54Y.

Transport the passage 53Y transporting the supply that passage 55Y accepts developer replenishing from stirring, supply with screw rod 56Y on one side with developer replenishing developer roll 51Y, along axis of rotation direction transport on one side.And, be not provided to the developer of developer roll 51Y, and get back to from developer roll 51Y surface supply with the developer that transports passage 53Y if be transported to supply with transport passage 53Y along the carriage direction downstream end, then enter to stir and transport passage 55Y by being formed on openings (third connecting part) in first dividing plate 501.

On the other hand, the developer that supplies to developer roll 51Y direction shown in the arrow A 2 in Fig. 2 is sent to the position of scraper 52Y.Then, the developer level on the developer roll 51Y is after this position is adjusted to appropriate amount by scraper 52Y, and developer is transported to the developing regional in the face of photoreceptor 1Y.Then, owing to the electric field action that forms at developing regional, the toner in the developer is transferred to photoreceptor 1Y and is gone up on the electrostatic latent image that forms.Subsequently, the developer on the developer roll 51Y separates and drops to reclaim from developer roll 51Y and transports the passage 54Y.The developer that reclaims from developer roll 51Y in passage 54Y is transported in recovery by reclaim screw rod 57Y be transported to reclaim transport passage 54Y along the carriage direction downstream end, the peristome of this developer by second partition 502 enters to stir and transports passage 55Y.

In passage 55Y was transported in stirring, developer on one side with the toner of suitable supply, mixed stirring by agitating screw 58Y, on one side towards transporting in passage 55Y is transported in stirring perpendicular to paper direction front side as mentioned above.Then, by the illustrated peristome that do not have of first dividing plate 501, enter to supply with and transport passage 53Y.Stirring transport passage 55Y below, set by the toner concentration detecting sensor that does not have illustrated magnetoconductivity sensor to constitute, according to by its detected toner supply device of controlling and driving as a result 60Y, the toner supply stirring of toner container 32Y is transported in the passage 55Y.

In Fig. 1, be installed in toner supply device that Y, C in toner container 32Y, 32C, 32M, the 32K of container installation portion 31, M, K toner use by Y, C, M, K respectively to developing apparatus 5Y, 5C, the suitable supply of 5M, 5K.Four toner supply devices are except the look difference of the toner that is used for imaging processing, and general configuration is identical.

Fig. 3 is the amplification pie graph of expression Y with toner supply device 60Y.Y comprises the 32Y2 of bottle portion that takes in toner with toner container 32Y, and with the chimeric cap 32Y1 that keeps the bottle 32Y2 of portion pivotally of the head of the 32Y2 of bottle portion.If Y is installed to container installation portion 31 with toner container 32Y, then with this installation action interlock, the Y of container installation portion 31 inserts the 32Y1b of hole portion of cap 32Y1 with nozzle 72Y.At this moment, as the plug mouthpiece 32Y3 of the switching parts of toner container 32Y under the state that is sandwiched in nozzle 72Y and tine 75Y, open toner discharging port 32Y1a (powder escape hole).Thus, toner discharging port 32Y1a is communicated with the toner receiving port (powder receiving port) that is located at nozzle 72Y, and the interior Y toner of the 32Y2 of bottle portion (powder collecting portion) that is accommodated in toner container 32Y is transported in the nozzle 72Y by toner discharging port 32Y1a.

On the other hand, the other end of nozzle 72Y is connected with a end as the pipe 69Y in toner replenishing path.Pipe 69Y is made of the flexible material of anti-toner excellence, and its other end is connected with the helicoidal pump 61Y (sucking pump) of toner supply device 60Y.Pipe 69Y has the internal diameter in 4mm arrives the 10mm scope.As the material of pipe 69Y, for example can use poly-imines fat, nitrile, ethene-third rare-elastomeric material of diene monomers (EPDM), silicon etc.; Or the resin material of tygon, nylon etc.By using this flexible pipe 69Y, can improve the layout degree of freedom in toner replenishing path, image processing system can be compacter.

In this example, helicoidal pump 61Y is made of induction type single shaft eccentric screw pump, comprises rotor 65Y, stator 62Y, suction inlet 63Y, universal joint 64, motor 66Y etc.Rotor 65Y, stator 62Y, universal joint 64 etc. are accommodated in not to be had in the illustrated housing.Nut (female screw) or the internal thread shape parts of stator 62Y for constituting by the rubber elastomeric material, its inner double pitch auger groove that forms.Rotor 65Y reverses the pin thread shape parts that form, rotatably chimeric being inserted in the stator 62Y for the spiral fashion that is made of rigid materials such as metals.The end of rotor 65Y is connected to motor 66Y by universal joint 64Y.

Helicoidal pump 61Y is driven by motor 66Y, makes that the rotor 65Y in the stator 62Y rotates along predetermined direction A5, produces suction (69Y discharges inner air tube from pipe, produces negative pressure in pipe 69Y) at suction inlet 63Y.Thereby the toner in the toner container 32Y is inhaled into suction inlet 63Y with air by pipe 69Y.Then, the Y toner that is drawn into suction inlet 63Y is sent into the gap between stator 62Y and the rotor 65Y, to another distolateral sending, transports pipe 68Y to developing apparatus 5Y in supply (as shown in Figure 3 dotted arrow move) by toner along the revolution of rotor 65Y.Also the hopper of temporarily taking in the Y toner of supply developing apparatus 5Y can be arranged between helicoidal pump 61Y and the developing apparatus 5Y.

The 32Y2 of bottle portion according to the toner container 32Y of this example forms roughly cylindrical shape, and side face is provided with spiral fashion projection 32Y2a (being seen as spiral groove from the outer peripheral face side) within it.If drive the bottle 32Y2 of portion by the revolution of diagram arrow A 4 directions by the aftermentioned toner container drive division that is located at main body 100, then spiral fashion projection 32Y2a will be accommodated in the interior space (toner reservoir) of Y toner in cap 32Y1 of bottle 32Y2 of portion and send.In Fig. 1, (toner of taking in almost is consumed when becoming the empty bottle container to the greatest extent) is replaced by new product when toner container 32Y, 32C, 32M, 32K reach the life-span respectively.

Fig. 4 is a stereographic map of representing container installation portion 31 with Y with toner container 32Y.Container installation portion 31 as the powder collecting container installation portion comprises toner container fixed part 70, toner container guide part 80, toner container drive division 90 etc.Toner container of all kinds is installed on the toner container guide part 80 by the opening of toner container fixed part 70.In the figure, among the toner container of all kinds, expression is installed in toner container 32Y Y the state of container installation portion 31 along the 1X direction.

Fig. 5 is the stereographic map of the Y of expression toner container drive division 90 with driving means.Toner container drive division 90 is except diagram Y driving means, and also comprising with Y does not have illustrated M driving means, C driving means, a K driving means with the identical formation of driving means.The Y of toner container drive division 90 comprises drive 91Y, drive motor 92Y, spring 93Y and axle 94Y etc. with driving means.Drive 91Y sets to chimeric with the driving input part 32Y2b (with reference to Figure 20) that is formed on bottle bottom of the 32Y2 of portion.Drive 91Y is connected with the gear 95Y that is arranged on a 94Y by axle 94Y with drive motor 92Y, and the driving force of drive motor 92Y is delivered to drive 91Y by axle 94Y and gear 95Y.And this driving force is delivered to the 32Y2 of bottle portion with the chimeric toner container 32Y of drive 91Y, makes the 32Y2 of bottle portion turn round.Spring 93Y is wound on a 94Y, and drive 91Y is energized to toner container 32Y.

Fig. 6 is the amplification pie graph that this container installation portion 31 of expression and desire installation Y wherein use toner container 32Y.Fig. 7 is the amplification pie graph of this container installation portion 31 of expression and installation this toner container 32Y wherein.In above-mentioned figure, the loading and unloading direction that drive 91Y is parallel to toner container 32Y can move back and forth, and is energized to toner container 32Y by spring 93Y.Make toner container 32Y move towards Fig. 6 arrow 1X direction, be installed in container installation portion 31, then drive 91Y is chimeric with driving input part 32Y2b on one side, Yi Bian pushed by toner container 32Y, move in (diagram arrow downstream) towards the installation direction inboard.At this moment, because of the bounce of spring 93Y, (diagram arrow upstream side) pushes back towards the installation direction front side with toner container 32Y.

When toner container 32Y and 31 disengagings of container installation portion, at first remove the maintenance of 31 couples of toner container 32Y of container installation portion.So because of the power of energizing of spring 93Y, toner container 32Y moves towards breaking away from direction (left of Fig. 7 to).Thus, toner container 32Y becomes and inserts a mouthful 71Y from toner container and jump out (pop-up action), and therefore, user's handling toner container 32Y grip part 32Y1c can easily take out toner container 32Y from container installation portion 31.

Fig. 8 is the amplification stereogram of the toner container fixed part 70 of this container installation portion 31 of expression.Toner container fixed part 70 is the cap that keeps toner container of all kinds respectively non-rotatingly, upper shell 701 and preceding lower house 702 before comprising.And, be provided with toner container insertion mouthful 71Y, a 71C, 71M, 71K at preceding upper shell 701 and preceding lower house 702, nozzle 72Y, 72C, 72M, 72K as duct member, antenna substrate 74Y, 74C, 74M, 74K, tine 75Y, 75C, 75M, the 75K that mouthpiece is energized towards the toner discharging port direction of inaccessible toner container will be filled in, with toner container to container installation portion 31 fixing/toner container removed fixedly relieving rod 76Y, 76C, 76M, 76K, positioning element 78Y, 78C, 78M, 78K etc.

Fig. 9 is illustrated in the fixed position to block the fixedly Y amplification stereogram that covers maintaining part of the preceding lower house of relieving rod 76Y state of toner container.Figure 10 is illustrated in the releasing position to block the fixedly Y amplification stereogram that covers maintaining part of the preceding lower house of relieving rod 76Y state of toner container.In above-mentioned figure, be provided with positioning element 78Y at the Y of preceding lower house 702 with the lid maintaining part, itself and Y carry out the cap location with the installation action interlock of the cap of toner container.Positioning element 78Y system is not along there being illustrated Y to extend the protuberance that is provided with the loading and unloading direction of toner container, is the center with the pedal line of the central shaft by nozzle 72Y, is made as left-right symmetric.

Set the nozzle 72Y that is positioned at horizontal direction and extends along toner container loading and unloading direction at preceding lower house 702.On the top of nozzle 72Y, be provided with toner receiving port 72aY as the powder receiving port, make its opening surface up.

In the bottom of preceding lower house 702, be provided with tine 75Y, its be used for Y with toner container loading and unloading actions interlock, the plug mouthpiece is energized with the direction of the toner discharging port of the cap of toner container towards closing Y.Tine 75Y can be that the center is towards the revolution of diagram arrow arrow R direction, lower house 702 before remaining on the revolution fulcrum.And, by leaf spring with its position of never harming the cap loading and unloading that do not have illustrated toner container towards energizing with the chimeric position of plug mouthpiece projected direction.That is, tine 75Y is energized from the below towards the top.

In addition, near the Y of preceding lower house 702 anterior end, be provided with and be used for not have illustrated toner container to be fixed on toner container fixed part 70 or remove fixedly relieving rod 76Y of the toner container fixed with the vertical paper direction of diagram of cover maintaining part.This toner container fixedly relieving rod 76Y as shown in Figure 9, the fixed position above tine 75Y is by fastening, will not have the cap of illustrated Y toner container to be fixed on before the Y of lower house 702 with covering maintaining part.Again, as shown in figure 10, by in the releasing position of above tine 75Y, keeping out of the way by fastening, the relative Y that removes the cap do not have illustrated Y toner container is with cover fixing of maintaining part.

Figure 11 is expression Y with the fixing amplification stereogram of relieving rod 76Y of toner container.In the figure, toner container fixedly relieving rod 76Y comprise the claw 76Ya that is used for fixing the cap that keeps not having illustrated toner container, the 76Yb of bar portion, flank 76Yc etc.As shown in Figure 9, toner container fixedly relieving rod 76Y is made as horizontal direction, and can move back and forth along the loading and unloading direction approximate vertical direction of relative toner container.And, insert the poll tax on children energy towards toner container by spring (76Yd of Figure 12).As shown in figure 10, the user hangs over the fixedly 76b of bar portion of relieving rod 76Y of toner container with finger, can make toner container fixedly relieving rod 76Y slide towards the direction (Figure 10 arrow Y1 direction) of the spring energized direction of resistance, move to the releasing position of Figure 19.

Figure 12 is that expression is blocked at the fixing front view (FV) of the cap 32Y1 of relieving rod 76Y and toner container of the toner container of fixed position.Figure 13 is that expression is blocked at the fixing front view (FV) of the cap 32Y1 of relieving rod 76Y and toner container of the toner container of removing the position.As shown in figure 12, block that fixedly relieving rod 76Y and cap 32Y1 are chimeric at the toner container of fixed position, cap 32Y1 is fixed on Y with covering maintaining part.Again, as shown in figure 13, block at the fixing relieving rod 76Y and cap 32Y1 is chimeric is disengaged of the toner container of removing the position, simultaneously, keep out of the way from the moving track of the toner container of toner container when container installation portion 31 is chosen, remove cap 32Y1 to Y with cover fixing of maintaining part.

Figure 14 is to be the fixedly planimetric map of relieving rod 76Y of the head of toner container 32Y of the first phase (initial stage) state and toner container to the installation process of container installation portion from gravity direction below expression.Figure 15 is to be the fixedly planimetric map of relieving rod 76Y of the head of toner container 32Y of second phase state and toner container to the installation process of container installation portion from gravity direction below expression.Figure 16 is to be the fixedly planimetric map of relieving rod 76Y of the head of toner container 32Y of third phase state and toner container to the installation process of container installation portion from gravity direction below expression.Figure 17 is to be the fixedly planimetric map of relieving rod 76Y of the head of toner container 32Y of the fourth phase (finishing the phase) state and toner container to the installation process of container installation portion from gravity direction below expression.

In above-mentioned figure, the installation direction when the arrow directions X represents that toner container 32Y is installed to container installation portion 31.As shown in figure 14, if the installation of the container installation portion 31 of beginning toner container 32Y, then fixedly the dip plane 76Ya1 of the claw 76Ya of relieving rod 76Y and toner discharge portion 32Y1d's toner container of toner container 32Y join.If under this state, toner container 32Y further pushes towards installation direction, then as shown in figure 15, toner container fixedly relieving rod 76Y on one side makes the dip plane 76Ya1 of self slide at the back edge of toner discharge portion 32Y1d, towards resistance spring 76Yd the energize direction (Figure 15 arrow Y2 direction) of direction slide move on one side.If from this state, toner container 32Y further pushes towards installation direction, then as shown in figure 16, toner container fixedly relieving rod 76Y further slides towards resistance spring 76Yd direction and moves, and makes the front end of claw 76a of self and the contacts side surfaces of toner discharge portion 32Y1d.If toner container 32Y is installed to container installation portion 31 fully, then as shown in figure 17, the toner discharge portion 32Y1d of toner container 32Y to toner container fixedly the installation direction inboard of relieving rod 76Y (Figure 17 downside) mobile.So, because of the fixing relieving rod 76Y of the toner container that receives promotion mutually with toner discharge portion 32Y1d, be released from promoted by toner discharge portion 32Y1d, because of the power of energizing of spring 76Yd moves towards arrow Y2 direction, get back to from toner and insert a mouthful outstanding position (fixed position).Toner container 32Y is by the fixing relieving rod 76Y clamping of the drive 91Y of above-mentioned toner container drive division 90 and toner container, and loading and unloading direction is fixing keeps at it.

Figure 18 is the fixedly stereographic map of relieving rod 76Y of indication rod position transducer 79Y and the toner container that is in a fixed position state.Figure 19 is the fixedly front view (FV) of relieving rod 76Y of indication rod position transducer 79Y and the toner container that is in a fixed position state.Remain on toner container fixed part 70 shown in Figure 8 at the bar position transducer 79Y shown in the above-mentioned figure.And, comprise light-emitting component and separate the photo detector of institute's fixed gap subtend with light-emitting component, make the light that sends from the light-emitting component of self accept light at the photo detector of self by above-mentioned institute fixed gap.When toner container when fixedly relieving rod 76Y is positioned at the fixed position, as Figure 18 and shown in Figure 19, the toner container fixedly rib 76Yc of relieving rod 76Y is between the light-emitting component and photo detector of bar position transducer 79Y.Thus, the light that sends from light-emitting component is covered by rib 76Yc and can not arrive photo detector.So, thus, bar position transducer 79Y detect toner container fixedly relieving rod 76Y block in the fixed position output detection signal (output).

Figure 20 is indication rod position transducer 79Y and is in the fixing stereographic map of relieving rod 76Y of toner container of removing location status.Figure 21 is indication rod position transducer 79Y and is in the fixing front view (FV) of relieving rod 76Y of toner container of removing location status.If toner container fixedly relieving rod 76Y moves to the releasing position, shown in above-mentioned figure, the toner container fixedly rib 76Yc of relieving rod 76Y is kept out of the way between the light-emitting component of bar position transducer 79Y and photo detector.Thus, the luminous energy that sends from light-emitting component arrives photo detector, bar position transducer 79Y detect toner container fixedly relieving rod 76Y keep out of the way output detection signal (output ends) not from the fixed position.

Above-mentioned example uses the device that is made of transmission-type optical sensor as bar position transducer 79Y, describes, and still, also can use the device that is made of the reflection type optical sensor.Again, in this example, according to be located at toner container fixedly the rib 76Yc of relieving rod 76Y have not shading detect toner container fixedly relieving rod 76Y whether be positioned at the fixed position, still, also can use additive method to detect.For example, the parts different with above-mentioned bar can be set also, itself and the toner container fixedly mobile interlock of relieving rod 76Y move, and utilize this another position component to change, and whether detection toner container fixedly relieving rod 76Y is positioned at the fixed position.

In Figure 12, remove toner container 32Y fixedly the time, at first, finger is hung over the fixedly 76Yb of bar portion of relieving rod 76Y of toner container, make toner container fixedly relieving rod 76Y towards with the spring 76Yd side of energizing in the opposite direction (Figure 12 arrow Y1 direction) slide.Then, by make toner container fixedly the claw 76Ya of relieving rod 76Y move to not chimeric releasing position with cap 32Y1, remove the stationary state of toner container 32Y.As shown in Figure 6, toner container 32Y energizes because of the drive 91Y that is subjected to toner container drive division 90, inserts a mouthful 71Y from the toner container of as shown in Figure 8 toner container fixed part 70 and jumps out.So, toner container fixedly the claw 76Ya of relieving rod 76Y front end as shown in figure 16, join with the side of the toner discharge portion 32Y1d of toner container 32Y, therefore, stop toner container fixedly relieving rod 76Y move (keeping the releasing position) to the answer of fixed position.After this, if gripping above-mentioned grip part 32Y1c, the operator make toner container 32Y choose towards disengaging direction (direction opposite with arrow X) is mobile, then the state that joins of claw 76Ya and toner discharge portion 32Y1d is removed, and toner container fixedly relieving rod 76Y is got back to the fixed position because of the power of energizing of spring 76Yd.But at this moment, the toner container that Y uses is not installed in container installation portion 31, therefore, although toner container fixedly relieving rod 76Y be positioned at the fixed position, do not become the state that toner container is fixed on the container installation portion.

In Fig. 1, if the open body door (not diagram) that is located at the vertical paper direction of the diagram front side of main body 100 is then exposed container installation portion 31.In more detail, if the body door of opening main part 100, then as shown in figure 22, the toner container fixed part 70 of container installation portion is exposed to the outside.When the toner container regardless of which kind of look all is not installed in container installation portion occasion, as shown in the figure, become four toner containers that are located at toner container fixed part 70 and insert mouthful 71Y, 71C, 71M, 71K state towards operator's opening.The toner container that the operator uses by the above-mentioned insertion of four toner containers mouthful 71Y, a 71C, 71M, 71K installation or taking-up Y, C, M, K.Toner container inserts the shape of mouthful 71Y, a 71C, 71M, 71K by of all kinds and different.Again, the cap shape of the toner container used of Y, C, M, K become can be respectively insert mouthful 71Y, a 71C with corresponding toner container, 71M, 71K are chimeric.Thus, avoid installing not homochromy toner container promptly installs by mistake.

Figure 23 is the amplification stereogram of the Y of side (cap side) expression from the head with toner container 32Y.Figure 24 represents the amplification stereogram of Y with toner container 32Y from rear end side.Toner container 32Y comprises the 32Y2 of bottle portion of the tubular of taking in toner, and with the chimeric cap 32Y1 that keeps the bottle 32Y2 of portion pivotally of its head.Form along the outstanding jut 32Y1e of normal direction at cap 32Y1.On the other hand, form the first gathering sill 71Y1,71M1,71C1,71K1 at toner container insertion mouthful 71Y, a 71C, 71M, 71K shown in Figure 22.Among above-mentioned four first gathering sill 71Y1,71M1,71C1, the 71K1, Y shown in Figure 23 can be chimeric with the first gathering sill 71Y1 with the only relative Y of jut 32Y1e of toner container 32Y.Equally, first gathering sill energy that the jut that does not have toner container that illustrated C, M, K use to form is only corresponding with self relatively respectively is chimeric.

In Fig. 8, at the preceding upper shell 701 of toner container fixed part 70, fixing antenna substrate 74Y, the 74C, 74M, the 74K that use of Y, C, M, K.On the other hand, in Figure 23, at the fixing electric substrate 32Y1f of the cap 32Y1 of toner container 32Y.If toner container 32Y is installed in the container installation portion, this cap 32Y1 is fixed on toner container fixed part 70 shown in Figure 8, then the antenna substrate 74Y subtend of the electric substrate 32Y1f of toner container 32Y and preceding upper shell 701.Equally, if there is not the toner container of illustrated C, M, K to be installed in the container installation portion, then be separately fixed at C, M, K usefulness electric substrate and antenna substrate 74C, 74M, the 74K subtend of the cap of above-mentioned toner container.

Carrying with the electric substrate 32Y1f of toner container 32Y at Y does not have illustrated IC chip as the electronical record means, wherein store the serial number of toner container, utilize number of times again, lot number, the toner look, the use resume of main body 100, the various information of the residual amount of toner (or service time) etc.The illustrated control part that do not have that is provided in the main body 100 can be communicated by letter with electric substrate 32Y1f by antenna substrate 74Y, and the IC chip for electric substrate 32Y1f is used to read the visit of various information, or is used for the visit of lastest imformation.Equally, also the electric substrate of the toner container that can use by antenna substrate 74C, 74M, 74K and C, M, K communicates.

As shown in Figure 8, antenna substrate 74Y, 74C, 74M, 74K are provided in the top that does not have the toner container that illustrated Y, C, M, K use that is installed on container installation portion 31.Therefore, the trusted face of antenna substrate 74Y, 74C, 74M, 74K is made as towards the vertical direction downside.By such formation, toner can not fall on the trusted face of antenna substrate 74Y, 74C, 74M, 74K, therefore, can suppress to be in the undesirable condition that causes between electric substrate and the antenna substrate that communication sensitivity worsens between both sides because of toner.

Figure 25 is the amplification stereogram of expression Y with the 32Y2 of bottle portion of toner container.The 32Y2 of bottle portion is provided with peristome 32Y2c at head (from the installation direction of relative main body 100, being anterior end).Inwall at the 32Y2 of bottle portion forms spiral helicine projection 32Y2a.Have, the 32Y2 of bottle portion (from the installation direction of relative main body 100, is inboard end) in the bottom and is provided with the driving input part chimeric with the drive 91Y of main body 100 (32Y2b of Figure 24) again.And, follow from drive 91Y and be activated power towards the revolution of deciding direction, make that being accommodated in inner toner transports towards peristome 32Y2c.So the Y toner in the 32Y2 of bottle portion is discharged from peristome 32Y2c.The Y toner of discharging as shown in figure 24, receive with the chimeric cap 32Y1 of the 32Y2 of bottle portion in.And, be stored in the toner reservoir of cap 32Y1.

Two of the 32Y2 of bottle portion drive input part 32Y2b set for the rotary middle spindle with the 32Y2 of bottle portion be the relation that benchmark becomes the branch supporting roles of 180 degree.In contrast, also can set to the tine with the drive 91Y of main body is made as more than three, form and drive input part 32Y2b more than three, chimeric with above-mentioned tine, rotary middle spindle with the 32Y2 of bottle portion is a benchmark, sets above-mentioned driving input part 32Y2b with the branch supporting role who equates.In this occasion, the torque that can reduce when driving toner container 32Y revolution changes, and still, driving input part 32Y2b (tine) quantity increases, and when toner container 32Y is installed, drives input part 32Y2b and tine and interferes probability to increase.Therefore, the number needs that drives input part 32Y2b (tine) will judge comprehensively that torque changes the toner from toner container 32Y that causes and discharges the setting property of the toner container 32Y that property interference whether good, that drive input part 32Y2b and tine causes and whether well set.

Figure 26 is an amplification stereogram of representing cap 32Y1 from front.Figure 27 is an amplification stereogram of representing cap 32Y1 from rear end side.Cap 32Y1 fixedly remains on the toner container fixed part 70 of container installation portion by the fitting operation of relative container installation portion 31.The cap 32Y1 of stationary state keeps bottle 32Y2 of portion pivotally.

On cap 32Y1, be provided with electric substrate 32Y1f, look identification protrusion member 32Y1e (jut), grip part 32Y1c, toner discharge portion 32Y1d etc.In the side, both sides of the toner discharge portion 32Y1d of cap 32Y1, be provided with the chimeric first slot part 32Y1g of positioning element 78 of container installation portion 31 as fitting portion again.

Figure 28 is respectively from face side, rear side, and the top, the below, side is represented the figure of cap 32Y1.The first slot part 32Y1g of cap 32Y1 comprises two surface level 32Y1ga of subtend, 32Y1gb, and be located at vertical plane 32Y1gc between the above-mentioned surface level, extend to form along container loading and unloading direction.Cap 32Y1 not with the revolution interlock of the 32Y2 of bottle portion, under slot part 32Y1g and positioning element 78 chimerisms, fixedly remain on the toner container fixed part 70 of container installation portion 31.

Figure 29 is the exploded perspective view of cap 32Y1.Cap 32Y1 comprises cap body 32Y10, grip part body 32Y20, nozzle insertion section 32Y30 etc.Figure 30 is the amplification stereogram from the grip part body 32Y20 of the arrow S direction indication cap of Figure 29.It is chimeric that cap body 32Y10 and grip part body 32Y20 system is covered in cap body 32Y10 with body 32Y20 part, grip part, and the flank 32Y20b of grip part body 32Y20 is bonding or deposited as bonding plane.Again, form recess in the vertical direction bottom of grip part body 32Y20, nozzle insertion section 32Y30 is fitted in this recess.

As shown in figure 29, on the outer peripheral face of cap body 32Y10, be provided with electric substrate 32Y1f, look identification protrusion member 32Y1e (jut) etc.Again, grip part body 32Y20 comprises from drum portion towards the outstanding grip part 32Y1c of loading and unloading direction, and the toner discharge portion 32Y1d that is provided in drum subordinate side.Again, as shown in figure 30, in drum portion, be provided with the toner reservoir 32Y1k (cavity) of temporary transient storage toner, and the cylindrical space 32Y1p that makes toner reservoir 32Y1k and toner discharge portion 32Y1d connection.The toner discharge portion 32Y1d of grip part body 32Y20 is crimped the 32Y1h of portion by the first slot part 32Y1g, and nozzle inserts formations such as mouthful 32Y1j.Be provided with encapsulant 32Y20c and surround a nozzle insertion mouthful 32Y1j again.When toner container 32Y was installed to container installation portion 31, encapsulant 32Y20c can prevent that toner from leaking between nozzle 72 and nozzle insertion mouthful 32Y1j.Again, encapsulant 32Y20c also has the function of the impact of generation when absorbing toner container 32Y slip being installed fully container installation portion 31 in.That is, the sealing of cap 32Y1 and the 32Y2 of bottle portion is guaranteed by the encapsulant 32Y20a of the grip part body 32Y20 that is bonded in cap 32Y1.The nip encapsulant 32Y20a of cap 32Y1 of peristome 32Y2c by the 32Y2 of bottle portion slides, and suppresses the defective mode of toner from leaking between both sides' parts.

In Figure 29, nozzle insertion section 32Y30 is formed on the 32Y1b of hole portion that takes in plug mouthpiece 32Y3, the top of 32Y1b.And embed the toner discharging port 32Y1a that is communicated with toner reservoir 32Y1k and the 32Y1b of hole portion, be formed in the cylindrical space 32Y1p of toner reservoir 32Y1k bottom, be included in the toner discharge path 32Y30a in the path that forms the discharge toner between toner reservoir 32Y1k and the toner discharging port 32Y1a etc.When nozzle insertion section 32Y30 was chimeric with the recess of the toner discharge portion 32Y1d that is located at grip part body 32Y20, the 32Y1b of hole portion inserted a mouthful 32Y1j with the nozzle of toner discharge portion 32Y1d and is communicated with.

In the 32Y1b of hole portion, take in plug mouthpiece 32Y3, it constitutes by cylindrical shape and at its end outstanding tabular teat of symmetry.32Y3 moves in the 32Y1b of hole portion by the plug mouthpiece, carries out opening or closing of toner discharging port 32Y1a.From the toner container installation direction, the anterior end at plug mouthpiece 32Y3 is provided with the horizontally extending teat of relative cylindrical center's axle vertical direction.By making the tine 75 of container installation portion 31 chimeric with this teat, with the disengaging action interlock of toner container 32Y, tine 75 is energized towards the direction that makes plug mouthpiece 32Y3 close toner discharging port 32Y1a, moves.

Also can be provided with as energizing the spring 32Y30b of parts, fill in mouthpiece 32Y3 relatively and energize towards the direction of closing toner discharging port 32Y1a at nozzle insertion section 32Y30.Spring 32Y30b also has following function: when toner container 32Y breaks away from, by this power of energizing, make plug mouthpiece 32Y3 move towards the direction of closing toner discharging port 32Y1a.Spring 32Y30b can make the initial actuating when plug mouthpiece 32Y3 moves towards the direction of closing toner discharging port 32Y1a quicken, and therefore, can reduce the leakage of toner from toner discharging port 32Y1a, and is very suitable.If plug mouthpiece 32Y3 and tine 75 are chimeric, or energize by spring 32Y30b, then can make plug mouthpiece 32Y3 move towards the direction of closing toner discharging port 32Y1a, by having two functions, toner is from the leakage of toner discharging port 32Y1a in the time of reducing the toner container disengaging really.In this example, be that example describes with the structure that is provided with tine 75 and spring 32Y30b both sides.

Figure 31 is the longitudinal section of the head of expression toner container 32Y.In the figure, be provided with as the plug mouthpiece 32Y3 that opens and closes parts itself and the loading and unloading action interlock of toner container 32Y, switching toner discharging port 32Y1a at the 32Y1b of hole portion.At the two ends of plug mouthpiece 32Y3, be provided for suppressing the O type circle 32Y30d of toner, 32Y30e from the clearance leakage between plug mouthpiece 32Y3 and the 32Y1b of hole portion.Have again, facial in the week of toner discharge path 32Y30a, be provided for suppressing the O type circle 32Y30c of toner from the clearance leakage between grip part body 32Y20 and the nozzle insertion section 32Y30.Again, the end of the 32Y1b of hole portion is in inboard (Figure 31 right side) from seeing to main body 100 installation directions, inserts a mouthful 32Y1j with nozzle and is communicated with.With the installation action interlock to container installation portion 31, nozzle (72Y of Fig. 6) inserts nozzle and inserts a mouthful 32Y1j.

In Figure 29, in the bottom surface of cap 32Y1, be provided with the second slot part 32Y1i, it is chimeric with the tine (75Y of Fig. 3) that is fixed on the printer main body side, is used to fill in mouthpiece 32Y3 and relatively moves.Have again,, form the 3rd slot part 32Y1q, itself and the second slot part 32Y1i be located along the same line (seeing overlapping) from the toner container installation direction in the bottom surface of cap 32Y1.And, between the second slot part 32Y1i and the 3rd slot part 32Y1q, be provided with slipping plane 32Y1r, be used for sliding with the tine 75Y of container installation portion 31, tine 75Y is pressed towards the below thruster, do not install so that do not harm toner container 32Y.The rim of the 3rd slot part 32Y1q side of slipping plane 32Y1r has the dip plane that is used for down pushing smoothly tine 75Y.

The electric substrate 32Y1f that is arranged on above the cap 32Y1 is RFID etc., as shown in Figure 8, and between the main body 100 (antenna substrate 74), carries out the communication about the information of toner container 32Y and printer main body.Clip the longitudinal axis of toner container 32Y, electric substrate 32Y1f is located at the opposite position of 32Y1b with hole portion.By such configuration, can suppress to be attached to electric substrate 32Y1f the defective modes such as communication sensitivity deterioration between inhibition and the antenna substrate 74 attached near the toner the portion of hole.

In Figure 26,,, be provided with the grip part 32Y1c that the user is used to grip when carrying out toner container 32Y loading and unloading operation in the front side from the installation direction of cap 32Y1.Grip part 32Y1c is formed on being provided with on the face of face opposition side that nozzle inserts mouthful 32Y1j of cap 32Y1, and is outstanding towards the disengaging direction of toner container 32Y.By such formation, when the 32Y1c of this grip part of user's handling, can suppress contact and have the nozzle insertion mouthful 32Y1j that toner adheres to tendency.

Figure 32 is the front view (FV) of expression Y with the cap 32Y1 of toner container.Figure 33 is the front view (FV) of expression M with the cap 32M1 of toner container.Figure 34 is the front view (FV) of expression C with the cap 32C1 of toner container.Figure 35 is the front view (FV) of expression K with the cap 32K1 of toner container.Be located at the colour identification protrusion member 32Y1e (jut) of cap of all kinds, 32M1e, 32C1e, 32K1e only insert a mouthful 71Y with toner container shown in Figure 22,71C, and 71M, first gathering sill of 71K is chimeric.

The inboard of the edge portion of toner discharging port 32Y1a shown in Figure 31 is compared with the inboard end of protrusion member 32Y1e with look identification, is configured in the front side.By such configuration, even get wrong not homochromy toner container 32Y is inserted container installation portion 31Y occasion, because of the interference that look identification is inserted mouthful 71Y with protrusion member 32Y1e and toner container, toner container 32Y can only be inserted into look and discern with the inboard end of the installation direction of protrusion member 32Y1e.Therefore, can prevent that toner drops in the container installation portion because of toner leaks from toner discharging port 32Y1a, or the dirty dirty toner container of not homochromy toner.

Be installed under the container installation portion 31Y state at toner container 32Y, be crimped the fixedly claw 76Ya crimping of relieving rod 76Y of toner container of 32Y1h of portion and container installation portion 31Y, remain on container installation portion 31Y.That is, the toner container 32Y that energizes by drive 91 by toner container fixedly relieving rod 76Y keep, in the loading and unloading direction fixedly the time, the portion 32Y1h of being crimped is provided in and the fixing position of relieving rod 76Y crimping of toner container.

In Figure 26, be crimped the 32Y1h of portion and constitute by two projecting parts (rib), described projecting part is outstanding towards breaking away from direction from the vertical plane 32Y1n of the relative loading and unloading direction of cap 32Y1.Be crimped the 32Y1h of portion because of drive 91 from the inboard to the power of energizing of front side, with fixedly relieving rod 76Y crimping of toner container, improve the bearing accuracy of the loading and unloading direction of toner container 32Y with the summit of these two projecting parts.

Plane 32Y1n form the opposite position (reverse side) of face with being crimped the 32Y1h of portion, be provided with and load and unload the direction parallel direction, i.e. the slide connecting part 32Y1m (rib) that extends with the projected direction parallel direction that is crimped the 32Y1h of portion.When the relative container installation portion of toner container 32Y 31Y loads and unloads, slide connecting part 32Y1m and toner container fixedly relieving rod 76Y slip, and keep the fixedly posture of the contact position of relieving rod 76Y (position of not harming the toner container loading and unloading) of toner container.Again, slide connecting part 32Y1m also has the function of the intensity of guaranteeing to form the plane 32Y1 that is crimped the 32Y1h of portion.Again, among two ribs as slide connecting part 32Y1m, the rib of upside constitutes as the surface level 32Y1gb that forms with the chimeric first slot part 32Y1g of the positioning element 78 of container installation portion 31Y.

Figure 36 is that the expression installation process is in the head of toner container of the first phase (initial stage) state and the longitudinal section of surrounding structure thereof.Figure 37 is that the expression installation process is in the head of toner container of second phase state and the longitudinal section of surrounding structure thereof.Figure 38 is that the expression installation process is in the head of toner container of third phase state and the longitudinal section of surrounding structure thereof.Figure 39 is that the expression installation process is in the head of toner container of the fourth phase (finishing the phase) state and the longitudinal section of surrounding structure thereof.In above-mentioned figure, the arrow directions X represents that toner container 32Y is installed to the direction of container installation portion 31Y.Figure 40 is the nozzle 72Y that expression is located at container installation portion 31Y, and tine 75Y and toner container be the stereographic map of the position relation of relieving rod 76Y fixedly.Figure 41 is the outboard profile of this position relation.In Figure 41, toner container 32Y moves to the right from the left side and installs.

Toner container 32Y is installed to container installation portion 31Y occasion, at first, opens the body door that is located at printer main body front (the vertical paper direction front side of Fig. 1), expose container installation portion 31Y.After this, on one side the user grips above-mentioned grip part 32Y1c, Yi Bian toner container 32Y is pressed in container installation portion 31Y.That is, from the installation direction front side, making becomes the front side by the cap 32Y1 32Y2 of bottle portion relatively, and the length direction along 32Y2 of bottle portion or toner container 32Y is installed in the container installation portion with toner container 32Y.At this moment, the relative installation direction of toner container 32Y, as the inboard end of the rib 32Y1m of slide connecting part, with toner container fixedly the claw dip plane 76Ya1 of relieving rod 76Y join.The toner container fixedly dip plane 76Ya1 of relieving rod 76Y tilts for to advance towards direction of insertion more, approaches the toner container side more.If forward toner container 32Y is installed, then toner container fixedly relieving rod 76Y promoted by the inboard end of rib 32Y1m, the position (releasing position) that toner container installs is mobile to not harming.If fixedly leading section and the rib 32Y1m of relieving rod 76Y slip on one side to be pushed to the toner container of removing the position, toner container 32Y being installed on one side advances, then tine 75Y enters the 3rd slot part 32Y1q that is located at toner container 32Y bottom surface as shown in figure 36.At this moment, the first slot part 32Y1g of cap 32Y1 and the positioning element 78Y of container installation portion 31Y are chimeric, begin the location.

If forward toner container 32Y is installed, then the tine 75Y of container installation portion 31Y as shown in figure 37, up to bumping the slipping plane 32Y1r that meets cap 32Y1.So tine 75Y, moves to the position (retreating position) of not harming cap 32Y1 installation and moves towards the below pushing by being located at the rim dip plane of slipping plane 32Y1r.Then, tine 75Y towards below be urged under the state, on one side slide at slipping plane 32Y1r, toner container 32Y is installed forward on one side.

After this, if further toner container 32Y is installed forward, tine 75Y arrives the second slot part 32Y1i, then as shown in figure 38, is projected into and fills in the chimeric position of mouthpiece 32Y3 (75a is a center steering with the revolution fulcrum), so that enter the second slot part 32Y1i.Tine 75Y is subjected to discharge from the promotion of slipping plane 32Y1r, because of leaf spring 77Y is pushed to the top.At this moment, the inboard end of the installation direction of plug mouthpiece 32Y3 arrives the position that joins with nozzle 72Y, and plug mouthpiece 32Y3 is subjected to nozzle 72Y and tine 75Y clamping, becomes position among the container installation portion 31Y state that is fixed.

Then, if further towards the mobile toner container 32Y of installation direction (arrow directions X), then as shown in figure 39, under the first slot part 32Y1g and positioning element 78Y chimerism, nozzle 72Y inserts mouthful 32Y1j from nozzle and inserts, plug mouthpiece 32Y3 relatively moves in the 32Y1b of hole portion, open toner discharging port 32Y1a.Then, the open fully toner discharging port 32Y1a of plug mouthpiece 32Y3, nozzle 72Y inserts up to the toner receiving port 72aY of nozzle 72Y and toner discharging port 32Y1a and is communicated with the position, simultaneously, move to and remove the fixedly installation direction anterior end of relieving rod 76Y arrival rib 32Y1m of the toner container that on rib 32Y1m, slides the position, promoted by rib 32Y1m and discharge, because of the power of energizing of spring 76Yd moves to fixed position (Figure 12 state).By above action, finish the installation action of toner container 32Y.

Take out (disengaging) toner container 32Y occasion from the container installation portion 31Y of main body 100, operate with the order opposite with above-mentioned erection sequence.Specifically, at first, toner container fixedly relieving rod 76Y moves to the releasing position.Then, by the power of energizing of container installation portion 31Y from drive 91Y, towards break away from direction promote toner container 32Y (Figure 39 towards left to move).Simultaneously, the power of energizing by spring 32Y30b and from the energizing of chimeric tine 75Y, plug mouthpiece 32Y3 moves in the 32Y1b of hole portion, closes toner discharging port 32Y1a.At this moment, toner container fixedly relieving rod 76Y is kept the releasing location status, slides on the rib 32Y1m of cap 32Y1, can not move to fixed position (harming the position that toner container 32Y breaks away from).After this, if further make toner container 32Y move towards breaking away from direction (with arrow X reverse direction) from Figure 39 state, then tine 75Y is depressed into and does not harm the position (Figure 37 state) that cap 32Y1 breaks away from.If further make toner container 32Y move towards breaking away from direction, then tine 75Y is promoted by slipping plane 32Y1r and is released, and because of leaf spring 77Y is pushed to the top, enters the 3rd slot part 32Y1q (Figure 36 state).Then, if cap 32Y1 breaks away from fully, then toner container fixedly relieving rod 76Y be subjected to rib 32Y1m promotion and discharge, 76Yd gets back to the fixed position because of spring.

In this printer, among the toner container that Y, C, M, K use, wherein during certain toner container, the toner replenishing of other toner containers moves and does not stop in loading and unloading (replacings).Promptly, be used to drive drive motor 92Y, 92C, 92M, the 92K that Y, C, M, the K of the toner container of Y, C, M, K use and can distinguish drive, toner container except that the toner container of loading and unloading, that be installed in container installation portion 31 is accepted the driving force from the drive motor of special use respectively.If the open body door that is located at the printer main body front then exposes the toner container that is arranged on the container installation portion, the rotating bottle portion of toner container is positioned at the inboard of cap.Therefore, can not insert mouth from the toner container of toner container fixed part 70 and expose a bottle portion, be activated even without the toner container of loading and unloading, the operator can not contact rotating bottle portion yet.

But, just in case when operation from the drive transmitting of drive division toner container occasion to the desire loading and unloading, probably the user can touch rotating bottle portion.So, in this printer, constitute when changing toner container, can not stop the toner replenishing action of the toner container do not changed, carry out container and change, can stop to drive the revolution of the toner container of replacing really.

As reference Figure 18-Figure 21 is illustrated, set the fixedly bar position transducer 79Y of relieving rod 76Y position of detection toner container at toner container fixed part 70.Of all kinds for Y, C, M, K, be provided with same bar position transducer.According to the output state of bar position transducer 79Y, revolution/the stop revolution of control toner container to the writing/stop and writing of electric substrate 32Y1f (electric substrate), drives/stops the toner replenishing action.In detail, control part controlling and driving/stop toner container drive division 90 (revolution of toner container/stop revolution), writing/stopping and writing to electric substrate 32Y1f, drive/stop the toner replenishing action, output result according to bar position transducer 79Y carries out controls such as above-mentioned revolution.

When state is carried out in the output of bar position transducer 79Y, that is, when Figure 18 and state shown in Figure 19, control part drives above-mentioned drive motor 92Y revolution according to necessity.But,, that is, when Figure 20 and state shown in Figure 21,, also force to stop drive motor 92Y even need to drive above-mentioned drive motor 92Y occasion when the output cut-off state of bar position transducer 79Y.In more detail, when toner container 32Y was installed in container installation portion 31Y, toner container fixedly relieving rod 76Y was configured in the fixed position, the fixing toner container 32Y that keeps.At this moment, bar position transducer 79Y detects the fixedly position of relieving rod 76Y of toner container, exports.When control part detects this output, drive this drive motor 92Y as required.

On the other hand, when charge and discharge operations toner container 32Y, toner container fixedly relieving rod 76Y slides into the releasing position, and the output of bar position transducer 79Y ends.When exporting by occasion, even need to drive above-mentioned drive motor 92Y occasion, control part also forces to stop drive motor 92Y.Therefore, as long as toner container 32Y inserts the container installation portion fully, toner container fixedly relieving rod 76Y does not move on to the fixed position from removing the position, just can not drive above-mentioned drive motor 92Y.Thus,, can avoid taking place the state of affairs that bottle 32Y2 of portion turns round, the operator contacts the 32Y2 of this bottle portion at toner container 32Y installation action midway.Again, even when toner container 32Y breaks away from, before the toner container 32Y that chooses, make toner container fixedly relieving rod 76Y slide into and remove the position, therefore, break away from action midway, can avoid taking place the state of affairs that the operator contacts the rotating bottle 32Y2 of portion.

Figure 42 is the fixedly side skeleton diagram that concerns of the position in toner container loading and unloading direction of relieving rod 76Y and toner container drive division 90 of expression toner container.Figure 43 is the side skeleton diagram of expression toner container 32Y.For convenience of description, container installation portion 31Y and toner container 32Y represent the skeleton diagram seen from opposition side respectively.That is, in Figure 42, in container installation portion 31Y, toner container 32Y is installed towards the right side from the diagram left side.On the other hand, in Figure 43, toner container 32Y is installed in container installation portion 31Y from the diagram right side towards the left side.

A among Figure 42 represent from toner container fixedly the toner container installation direction anterior end of the claw 76Ya of relieving rod 76Y to the horizontal range of drive 91Y.Again, the B among Figure 43 represents from the inboard end of the toner container installation direction of the slide connecting part 32Y1m of toner container 32Y to the horizontal range that drives input part 32Y2b front end.In this printer, make horizontal range A longer than horizontal range B.Thus, when with toner container 32Y when container installation portion 31Y installs, even insert toner container 32Y, begin connecting position occasion (Figure 14 state) up to the inboard end of the installation direction of the slide connecting part 32Y1m of toner container 32Y with claw 76Ya, also can not make driving input part 32Y2b contact with drive 91Y.Again, if further toner container 32Y is inserted the inboard, then fixedly relieving rod 76Y is to removing the position slip for toner container, and bar position transducer 79Y output ends, and therefore, the driving of the drive motor 92Y of toner container drive division 90 stops.Therefore, contact with drive 91Y even drive input part 32Y2b, the 32Y2 of bottle portion of toner container 32Y can not turn round yet.As mentioned above, by making toner container 32Y and container installation portion 31Y have the relation of A＞B, when loading and unloading toner container 32Y, can not make bottle 32Y2 of portion turn round.

The control part of this printer is according to the output of bar position transducer 79Y, and control writes to writing/stopping of the IC of electric substrate 32Y1f chip.When the output from bar position transducer 79Y ends,, also force to stop to write even need write occasion to the IC of electric substrate 32Y1f chip.Thus, can prevent in the IC chip writes, to cause that the IC chip writes bad because of the toner container 32Y that chooses from container installation portion 31Y.

Again, control part is according to the output of bar position transducer 79Y, controlling and driving/stop toner replenishing action (toner supply device 60).When the output from bar position transducer 79Y ends,, also can force to stop to drive even need to drive the helicoidal pump 61Y occasion of toner supply device 60Y.Thus, can avoid in the operation of loading and unloading toner container 32Y, carrying out the state of affairs that toner replenishing moves.

Again, control part is except according to from the output of bar position transducer 79Y, even according to output from antenna substrate 74Y, also can controlling and driving/stop toner container drive division (drive motor 92Y), to the writing/stop and writing of IC chip, drive/stop the toner replenishing action.That is, but in the communication distance scope of antenna substrate 74Y, have electric substrate 32Y1f occasion (by occasion in the communication circle of antenna substrate 74Y), control part detect can with the communicating by letter of electric substrate 32Y1f.On the other hand, but in the communication distance scope of antenna substrate 74Y, do not have electric substrate 32Y1f occasion, control part detect can not with the communicating by letter of electric substrate 32Y1f.When toner container fixedly relieving rod 76Y be positioned at the fixed position occasion, the output of control part test rod position transducer 79Y drives above-mentioned drive motor 92Y as required.But even toner container 32Y is not installed in container installation portion 31Y state, toner container fixedly relieving rod 76Y is energized by spring 76Yd, moves to the fixed position.Only, at this moment drive this drive motor 92Y according to the output occasion of bar position transducer 79Y.So,, when in container installation portion 31Y, not having toner container 32Y, can stop drive motor 92Y by controlling respectively from the output of bar position transducer 79Y and from the output of antenna substrate 74Y.Even bar position transducer 79Y exports, but end occasion, also stop to drive above-mentioned drive motor 92Y from the output of antenna substrate 74Y.

Figure 44 is the fixedly side skeleton diagram that concerns of the position in toner container loading and unloading direction of relieving rod 76Y and antenna substrate 74Y of expression toner container.Figure 45 is the side skeleton diagram of this toner container of expression 32Y.For convenience of description, container installation portion 31Y and toner container 32Y represent from opposition side respectively.That is, in Figure 44, in container installation portion 31Y, toner container 32Y is installed towards the right side from the diagram left side.On the other hand, in Figure 45, toner container 32Y is installed in container installation portion 31Y from the diagram right side towards the left side.C among Figure 44 is illustrated among the container installation portion 31Y, from toner container fixedly the toner container installation direction anterior end of the claw 76Ya of relieving rod 76Y to antenna substrate 74Y and horizontal range in communicated by letter with the limit positions of the electric substrate 32Y1f of toner container installation direction front side.Again, the D among Figure 45 represents the horizontal range of the inboard end of toner container installation direction from the inboard end of the toner container installation direction of slide connecting part 32Y1m to electric substrate 32Y1f.In this printer, possesses the relation of D＞C.

About horizontal range C, communicated by letter with the limit positions in toner container installation direction front side is compared with the toner container installation direction anterior end of claw 76Ya, is positioned at toner container installation direction front side occasion and is made as just (+).Communicated by letter with limit positions in toner container installation direction front side is compared with the toner container installation direction anterior end of claw 76Ya, is positioned at the inboard occasion of toner container installation direction and is made as negative (-).

About horizontal range D, the inboard end of the toner container installation direction of electric substrate 32Y1f is compared with the inboard end of the toner container installation direction of slide connecting part 32Y1m, is positioned at toner container direction of insertion front side occasion and is made as just (+).The inboard end of the toner container installation direction of electric substrate 32Y1f is compared with the inboard end of the toner container installation direction of slide connecting part 32Y1m, is positioned at the inboard occasion of toner container direction of insertion and is made as negative (-).

By being made as the relation of D＞C, when with toner container 32Y when container installation portion 31Y installs, even insert toner container 32Y, begin connecting position occasion (Figure 14 state) up to inboard end of the installation direction of the slide connecting part 32Y1m of toner container 32Y and claw 76Ya, but electric substrate 32Y1f can not enter in the communication range of antenna substrate 74Y also.Therefore, even bar position transducer 79Y exports occasion, but outside communication range, the output of antenna substrate 74Y ends, therefore, installing to container installation portion 31Y at toner container 32Y does not have under the done state, can stop to drive above-mentioned drive motor 92, stops writing of electric substrate 32Y1f etc.

The installment state of toner container 32Y is Figure 14 state occasion, and the first slot part 32Y1g of toner container 32Y is in not to be had and positioning element 78 chimerisms, and therefore, toner container 32Y can move freely.In this state,, in writing or reading, become electric substrate 32Y1f and be in the outer communication failure of circle of to communicate by letter, probably can give and electric substrate 32Y1f and antenna substrate 74Y major injury electric substrate 32Y1f writing information or sense information occasion.So, by toner container 32Y and container installation portion 31Y are made as D＞C relation, can after toner container 32Y is set to container installation portion 31Y really, carry out driving toner container 32Y revolution, electric substrate 32Y1f is write or reads.

Below, the formation of the printer that one embodiment of the invention relates to is described.

Figure 46 is the stereographic map of expression Y with the cap 32Y1 of toner container.As shown in the figure,, be provided with lid projection 32Y1z as the maintaining part projection at the inner peripheral surface of cap 32Y1, outstanding towards the centre of gyration.

Figure 47 is the partial perspective view of expression Y with the front end place of the 32Y2 of bottle portion of toner container.As shown in the figure,, be provided with to circumferential array a plurality of bottle projection 32Y2z as the incorporating section projection at the front end place of the 32Y2 of bottle portion, outstanding from side face.

Figure 48 is expression Y with the cross-sectional view of the junction of the cap 32Y1-α of toner container 32Y-α and the 32Y2-α of bottle portion.Cap 32Y1-α is the front end place of the axis of rotation direction of the 32Y2-α of receiving flask portion as shown in the figure, keeps the bottle 32Y2-α of portion pivotally.In the 32Y2-α of bottle portion,, be provided with 12 bottle projection 32Y2z along circumferential array at the front end place that accepts cap 32Y1-α.In cap 32Y1-α, the inner peripheral surface in the front end place subtend of the 32Y2-α of bottle portion that accepts with inside is provided with one and covers projection 32Y1z.

If the 32Y2-α of bottle portion returns and circles by illustrating the direction of arrow, the lid projection 32Y1z that 12 bottle projection 32Y2z that then are located at bottle front end place of the 32Y2-α of portion are located at cap 32Y1-α inner peripheral surface respectively relatively connect again and again from.And, when each time connect from the time vibrate at cap 32Y1-α and the 32Y2-α of bottle portion.The Y toner of this vibration transfer in the cap 32Y1-α, and the interior Y toner of the 32Y2-α of bottle portion, the aggegation piece avalanche of the aggegation piece of the Y toner that in cap 32Y1-α, takes place and the Y toner that in the 32Y2-α of bottle portion, takes place.In the above-described configuration, not parts to be transported in the revolution that is used to transport the Y toner be located in bottle 32Y2-α of portion, not to interrupt transporting of Y toner in the bottle, and can make the aggegation piece avalanche of the Y toner in the toner container 32Y-α by the contrary revolution of the 32Y2-α of bottle portion.

Between 32Y2-α of bottle portion and cap 32Y1-α, be provided with the gap, the 32Y2-α of bottle portion has to a certain degree loosening in cap 32Y1-α, can turn round.The 32Y2-α of bottle portion is by floating along normal direction in this loose range, and self the bottle projection 32Y2z that contacts with the lid projection 32Y1z of cap 32Y1-α relatively can make that covering projection 32Y1z crosses.Specifically, as shown in the figure, the position of the inner peripheral surface of cap 32Y1-α when clock 12 for example is provided with covers projection 32Y1z occasion, among 12 bottle projection 32Y2z of the 32Y2-α of bottle portion, follow bottle revolution of the 32Y2-α of portion, move to 12 o'clock position persons and contact with lid projection 32Y1z.During the position, as shown in the figure, the side face of the 32Y2-α of bottle portion does not join with lid projection 32Y1z when having any bottle projection 32Y2z to move to 12.This is because the cause that does not have illustrated spring the 32Y2-α of bottle portion to be energized towards the top from the below.If among 12 bottle projection 32Y2z, some beginnings contact with lid projection 32Y1z, then relative this bottle projection 32Y2z, and 32Y1z invests the power of revolting above-mentioned spring direction from the lid projection.So the 32Y2-of bottle portion moves towards resistance spring direction.Move by this, bottle projection 32Y2z can cross and cover projection 32Y1z.

Y toner container 32Y is described, but C toner container 32C, M toner container 32M, K is also identical with toner container 32Y with Y with toner container 32K.

[embodiment]

Below, the printer of the embodiment that feature further additional of the present invention constitutes is described in the printer that example relates to.

The inventor is as Y toner container 32Y, makes first preproduction as shown in figure 49, second preproduction as shown in figure 50, the 3rd preproduction shown in Figure 51, the 4th preproduction shown in Figure 52.

First preproduction shown in Figure 49 ties up to cap 32Y1-β a lid projection 32Y1z only is set, and at the 32Y2-β of bottle portion a bottle projection 32Y2z only is set.In this first preproduction, circle whenever the 32Y2-β of bottle portion returns, a bottle projection 32Y2z cover relatively projection 32Y1z once connect from.And,,, invest vibration with the frequency of 1Hz then for 32Y2-β of bottle portion and cap 32Y1-β if the 32Y2-β of bottle portion turns round with one revolutions per second of speed.

Second preproduction shown in Figure 50 ties up to cap 32Y1-γ four lid projection 32Y1z is set, and at the 32Y2-γ of bottle portion a bottle projection 32Y2z only is set.Four lid projection 32Y1z are made as 90 ° the position of staggering mutually on the lid inner peripheral surface.In this second preproduction, circle whenever the 32Y2-γ of bottle portion returns, 32Y2z of bottle projection and four lid projection 32Y1z take place respectively once to connect from.Thus, circle, four vibrations take place whenever bottle returns.And,,, invest vibration with the frequency of 4Hz then for 32Y2-γ of bottle portion and cap 32Y1-γ if the 32Y2-γ of bottle portion turns round with one revolutions per second of speed.

The 3rd preproduction shown in Figure 51 ties up to cap 32Y1-δ four lid projection 32Y1z is set, and at the 32Y2-δ of bottle portion two bottle projection 32Y2z is set.Four lid projection 32Y1z are identical with second preproduction, are made as 90 ° the position of staggering mutually on the inner peripheral surface covering.Two bottle projection 32Y2z are located at the position with 120 ° and 240 ° phasic differences.In the 3rd preproduction, circle whenever the 32Y2-δ of bottle portion returns, two bottle projection 32Y2z of the 32Y2-δ of bottle portion respectively with four lid projection 32Y1z take place each once connect from.Among two bottle projection 32Y2z, when among some and four the lid projection 32Y1z during some the contact, there is following such position in another bottle projection 32Y2z: promptly, at gyratory directions, if a bottle projection 32Y2z is made as the reference position with lid projection 32Y1z position contacting, then another bottle projection 32Y2z is positioned at from this reference position the position of stagger along the gyratory directions downstream 120 ° or 240 °.Be not in three of reference position lid projection 32Y1z and be present in 90 ° the position of staggering from the reference position, 180 ° the position of staggering, 270 ° the position of staggering.Therefore, the bottle projection 32Y2z that is positioned at 120 ° or the 240 ° positions of staggering can not contact.Promptly, in the 3rd preproduction, set respectively the bottle 32Y2-δ of portion side face two bottle projection 32Y2z set spacing, and four lid projection 32Y1z of cap 32Y1-δ inner peripheral surface set spacings, make two bottle projection 32Y2z not can with the time contact with different lid projection 32Y1z respectively.And, whenever returning, bottle circles, eight vibrations take place.In the above-described configuration, if the 32Y2-δ of bottle portion turns round with one revolutions per second of speed,, invest vibration with the frequency of 8Hz then for 32Y2-δ of bottle portion and cap 32Y1-δ.

The 4th preproduction shown in Figure 52 ties up to cap 32Y1-ε four lid projection 32Y1z is set, and at the 32Y2-ε of bottle portion three bottle projection 32Y2z is set.Four lid projection 32Y1z are identical with second preproduction and the 3rd preproduction, are made as 90 ° the position of staggering mutually on the inner peripheral surface covering.Three bottle projection 32Y2z tie up to and are located at 120 ° the position of staggering mutually on bottle side face.In the 4th preproduction, circle whenever the 32Y2-ε of bottle portion returns, three bottle projection 32Y2z of the 32Y2-ε of bottle portion respectively with four lid projection 32Y1z take place each once connect from.Among three bottle projection 32Y2z, when among some and four the lid projection 32Y1z during some the contact, there is following such position in two bottle projection 32Y2z in addition: promptly, at gyratory directions, if one of them bottle projection 32Y2z is made as the reference position with lid projection 32Y1z position contacting, then in addition among two bottle projection 32Y2z, one is positioned at from this reference position 120 ° the position of staggering along the gyratory directions downstream.Another bottle projection 32Y2z is positioned at from this reference position 240 ° the position of staggering along the gyratory directions downstream.Be not present in 90 ° the position of staggering from the reference position and be not in three of reference position lid projection 32Y1z, 180 ° the position of staggering, 270 ° the position of staggering.Be positioned at the bottle projection 32Y2z of 120 ° of positions that staggers from the reference position, and the bottle projection 32Y2z that is positioned at the 240 ° of positions of staggering from the reference position can not contact with above-mentioned three lid projection 32Y1z.Promptly, even in the 4th preproduction, also identical with the 3rd preproduction, set respectively the bottle 32Y2-ε of portion side face three bottle projection 32Y2z set spacing, and four of cap 32Y1-ε inner peripheral surface lid projection 32Y1z set spacings, make three bottle projection 32Y2z not can with the time respectively with different lid projection 32Y1z contacts.And, whenever returning, bottle circles, ten secondary vibrations take place.In the above-described configuration, if the 32Y2-ε of bottle portion turns round with one revolutions per second of speed,, invest vibration with the frequency of 12Hz then for 32Y2-ε of bottle portion and cap 32Y1-ε.

The inventor uses that four preproductions carry out test print respectively shown in Figure 49 to Figure 52, investigate because of projection and connect from the frequency that causes, the relation that the weight of the aggegation piece that the every 1g of toner comprises, the look of output image come off several (each opens the generation number of A3 size paper).Specifically, at first, under the equivalent environment four preproductions are being placed the identical time mutually, the aggegation piece of Y toner is taking place in each preproduction.Then, for each preproduction, with one revolutions per second speed make preproduction bottle portion 32Y2 turn round on one side, on one side the test pattern of image area rate 5% is exported on many A3 size paper continuously, implement continuous test print.The speed of gyration of the 32Y2 of bottle portion all is one revolutions per second, therefore, in continuous test print, in first preproduction, vibrate with the 1Hz frequency, in second preproduction, vibrate with the 4Hz frequency, in the 3rd preproduction, vibrate, in the 4th preproduction, vibrate with the 12Hz frequency with the 8Hz frequency.When using each preproduction, the number (individual/A3 size paper) that look comes off takes place in the investigation test image.Behind the test print, take out Y toner and the interior Y toner of cap 32Y1 in the bottle 32Y2 of portion respectively imperturbably, the 1gY toner is sieved operation with the sieve of 500 μ m meshes respectively.Then, measure the weight stay the Y toner aggegation piece in the sieve, measurement result be multiply by 0.5, with resulting value as the weight that is included in the aggegation piece in the 1gY toner.

No matter which preproduction as the Y toner, is all taken in low-temperature fixing type person.Low-temperature fixing type toner can make its softening photographic fixing on paper with small amount of thermal energy, therefore, requires the surging low-temperature fixing type toner that adopts mostly in recent years in energy-conservationization.It can reduce the heat energy that is used for photographic fixing, realizes energy-conservationization, but has the shortcoming that the aggegation piece easily takes place.

The weight of the aggegation piece that obtains according to test, frequency, look several relation table that comes off is shown in Figure 53.As shown in the figure, along with frequency increases, the aggegation piece reduces, and simultaneously, can reduce that look comes off in the image.This is because frequency increases more, invests the aggegation piece with many impacts, promotes the cause of aggegation piece avalanche.Again, the aggegation piece becomes the look reason that comes off, and therefore, the aggegation piece is few more, and the look number that comes off also reduces.

In the printer that embodiment relates to, toner container 32Y, 32C, 32M and 32K as Y, C, M, K use carry identical person with preproduction shown in Figure 52 respectively.In the above-described configuration, can produce the toner container 32Y-α same frequency of the printer that relates to example shown in Figure 48.For example, if make the 32Y2-α of bottle portion of toner container 32Y-α of Figure 48 turn round, then as mentioned above, invest vibration with the frequency of 12Hz with one revolutions per second of speed.Even make equally and turn round, also can invest vibration with the frequency of identical 12Hz with the 32Y2-ε of bottle portion of the toner container 32Y-ε of the identical formation of the 4th preproduction shown in Figure 52 with one revolutions per second of speed again.

Like this, in the printer that printer that example relates to and embodiment relate to, the vibration frequency of toner container 32Y is identical, still, below 2 go up different.

First difference is to cover relatively the friction load of projection 32Y1z.Specifically, in toner container 32Y-α shown in Figure 48, only be provided with a lid projection 32Y1z at cap 32Y1-α.In order to utilize this lid projection 32Y1z, whenever returning, bottle circles, ten secondary vibrations take place, at the 32Y2-α of bottle portion 12 bottle projection 32Y2z are set.In the above-described configuration, circle, cover projection 32Y1z relatively whenever bottle returns, make a bottle projection 32Y2z take place to connect for 12 times from.In contrast, in the printer that embodiment relates to, shown in Figure 52, be provided with four lid projection 32Y1z at the inner peripheral surface of cap 32Y1-ε.In order to utilize these four lid projection 32Y1z, whenever returning, bottle circles, ten secondary vibrations take place, at the 32Y2 of bottle portion three bottle projection 32Y2z are set.If the 32Y2-ε of bottle portion returns and circles, relative four lid projection 32Y1z, make respectively three bottle projection 32Y2z respectively once connect from.That is, in the printer that example relates to, circle, cover projection 32Y1z relatively whenever bottle returns, make a bottle projection 32Y2z take place to connect for 12 times from, in contrast, in the printer that embodiment relates to, have only connect for three times from.Thus, make to reduce to 1/4, can realize long lifetime for the friction load that covers projection 32Y1z.

Second difference is the vibration nidus of cap 32Y1.Specifically, in the printer that example relates to, as shown in figure 48, in cap 32Y1-α, only the position is provided with and covers projection 32Y1z when clock 12 for example.In the cap 32Y1-of above-mentioned formation α, only vibrate circumferential 12 o'clock positions, therefore, and circumferentially, the difference that the generation of aggegation piece damage capability is very big.In 6 o'clock positions of 12 o'clock opposition sides, do not transmit big vibration, make that near the toner avalanche that existed the position at 6 o'clock is very difficult.In contrast, in the printer that embodiment relates to, as shown in figure 49, at cap 32Y1-β, circumferential 90 ° are staggered four lid projection 32Y1z are set, and vibrate in that the position respectively is set.Thus, it is irregular to reduce circumferential aggegation piece destructive characteristics.

Figure 54 is the partial longitudinal section figure of the Y of the printer that relates to of expression embodiment with the leading section of toner container 32Y-.In cap 32Y1-ζ, set up sieve 330.This sieve 330 is made as the transversal Y toner that enters cap 32Y1-ζ in the 32Y2-ζ of bottle portion and moves to toner discharging port 32Y1a stream midway, and the Y toner arrives toner discharging port 32Y1a by this sieve 330.If the aggegation piece is included in the Y toner, then this aggegation piece can not be stayed the face of the toner approaching side of sieve 330 by the mesh of sieve 330.Under this state, if give and cap 32Y1-ζ because of connecing from the vibration that causes of lid projection and bottle projection, then this vibration transfer is beaten the aggegation piece of the face of staying the toner approaching side to sieve 330.Thus, can destroy the aggegation piece effectively, make it can pass through sieve 330.Like this, in the printer that embodiment relates to,, can destroy the aggegation piece effectively by beaing the aggegation piece at sieve 330.And, in the past because of with big aggegation piece to the developing apparatus supply, can produce because of the aggegation piece be that the pattern colour of cause comes off.In the above-described embodiments, can eliminate above-mentioned defective mode, suppress pattern colour and come off.

The inventor prepares not to be provided with the preproduction of the comparative example that cover projection and bottle projection, carries out the comparison test of the printer that relates to embodiment.Specifically, the preproduction of comparative example is arranged in the printer, carries out continuous printing test.At this moment, the sieve 330 that is arranged on preproduction as a comparative example being pressed the mesh descending order changes.So, if little, assemble volume aggegation pieces at sieve 330 to mesh 800 μ m, mesh stops up, and it is very difficult to discharge toner in the cap 32Y1-ζ.In contrast, in the printer that embodiment relates to,, beat the aggegation piece, can make its avalanche effectively,, also can not sieve 330 mesh and stop up even little to mesh 500 μ m by sieving 330 by lid projection and bottle the connecing of projection from the vibration that causes.

When the developer collecting that will contain toner and magnetic carrier is contained in toner container as powder, replace the toner occasion, as sieve 330, can use the mesh size sieve bigger than the mean grain size of magnetic carrier.

Illustrated that above four imaging portions that use Y, C, M, K to use form the printer of the so-called tandem type of coloured image, but the present invention also goes for forming by an imaging portion image processing system of coloured image.In order to form the image processing system of coloured image by imaging portion, can on a photoreceptor, order form Y, C, M, K toner picture, with above-mentioned toner as superimposed transfer printing on the intermediate transfer body.

As mentioned above, in the printer that example relates to, among the bottle projection 32Y2z and the lid projection 32Y1z as the maintaining part projection as the incorporating section projection, it is a plurality of to make that at least one side is provided with in circumferential array.In the above-described configuration, between the 32Y2 of the bottle portion revolution one-period that makes as the incorporating section, bottle projection 32Y2z and lid projection 32Y1z can repeatedly connect from, produce repeatedly and vibrate.

In the printer that embodiment relates to, make bottle projection 32Y2z and lid projection 32Y1z be provided with a plurality of respectively in circumferential array.In the above-described configuration, as mentioned above, among bottle projection 32Y2z and lid projection 32Y1z, a certain side only is provided with a formation compares, bottle circles for every time, can produce identical vibration frequency, can reduce the friction load of relative projection, realize the long lifetime of bottle projection 32Y2z and lid projection 32Y1z.Can reduce the broken piece ability deviation of circumferential aggegation piece, make the avalanche of aggegation piece effectively.

In the printer that embodiment relates to, set respectively the bottle 32Y2 of portion side face a plurality of bottles of projection 32Y2z set spacing, and a plurality of lid projection 32Y1z of cap 32Y1 inner peripheral surface set spacing, make the bottle projection 32Y2z that (contains two) more than two not can with the time respectively with different lid projection 32Y1z contacts.In the above-described configuration, can avoid the revolution of the 32Y2 of bottle portion that causes with different lid projection 32Y1z contact respectively simultaneously because of the bottle projection 32Y2z that (contains two) more than two bad.

In the printer that embodiment relates to, on the toner stream in cap 32Y1-ζ, the sieve 330 of the mesh thicker than toner particle is set, by this sieve 330, toner is sent to toner discharging port 32Y1a.In the above-described configuration, as mentioned above,, can destroy the aggegation piece effectively by beaing the aggegation piece at sieve 330.And, in the past because of with big aggegation piece to the developing apparatus supply, can produce because of the aggegation piece be that the pattern colour of cause comes off.In the above-described embodiments, can eliminate above-mentioned defective mode, suppress pattern colour and come off.

In view of the various extra modifications of top instruction and modification all are possible.Therefore be appreciated that within the scope of the appended claims the disclosure of patent specification can be put into practice according to the mode outside this is specifically described.

Claims (10)

1. powder collecting container comprises:

Powder is taken in the incorporating section, and an end opening transports powder by revolution to opening, have the incorporating section projection at outer peripheral face; And

Maintaining part is inserted the peristome of above-mentioned incorporating section one end, is provided with the escape hole that powder is transported to the maintaining part outside, is provided with the maintaining part projection at inner peripheral surface;

Wherein, follow the revolution of above-mentioned incorporating section, above-mentioned incorporating section projection and maintaining part projection connect from, vibration is invested above-mentioned incorporating section and maintaining part.

2. powder collecting container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that:

Above-mentioned incorporating section projection is provided with two at least, and it is circumferential to be arranged in the incorporating section.

3. powder collecting container as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that:

Above-mentioned maintaining part projection is provided with two at least, and it is circumferential to be arranged in maintaining part.

4. as claim 2 or 3 described powder collecting containers, it is characterized in that:

Above-mentioned incorporating section projection and above-mentioned maintaining part projection are respectively equipped with a plurality of, are arranged in circumferentially.

5. powder collecting container as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that:

Set respectively above-mentioned incorporating section above-mentioned revolution side face a plurality of incorporating sections projection set spacing, and a plurality of maintaining part projections of the above-mentioned inner peripheral surface of above-mentioned maintaining part set spacing, make at least two above-mentioned incorporating section projections not can with the time respectively with different above-mentioned maintaining part projection contacts.

6. as any described powder collecting container among the claim 1-3, it is characterized in that:

On the powder stream in above-mentioned maintaining part, the mesh sieve thicker than the particulate that constitutes powder is set, powder is sent to above-mentioned escape hole by this sieve.

7. as any described powder collecting container among the claim 1-3, it is characterized in that:

In the incorporating section, be formed for transporting the helicla flute of powder.

8. as any described powder collecting container among the claim 1-3, it is characterized in that:

Above-mentioned maintaining part is lid.

9. image processing system comprises:

Toner container is taken in toner;

Imaging device uses toner to make the toner picture; And

Toner supply device, with the toner in the above-mentioned toner container to above-mentioned imaging device supply;

Wherein, as above-mentioned toner container, carry any described powder collecting container among the claim 1-8.

10. image processing system as claimed in claim 9 is characterized in that:

Image processing system comprises a plurality of powder collecting containers of taking in different toner bodies respectively.

Images